206595 Pte. Henry Ardley British Army 5th Dragoon Guards from:Aldershott, Hmapshire (d.19th Sept 1914) I have managed to find a lot of documents for my Great Grandpa, Henry Ardley. His attestation, his medical, death, medal receipts. I am trying to find out as much as I can so that I can ensure my children know all about him.
Henry had 3 children, Henry 1911 (my Grandpa), Daisy 1911 and George 1914. George was born just a month before his father was killed in action.
My Granpa, Henry -(or Harry as he was nicknamed) died aged 85 and I never got to speak to him about his father, what he knew or anything. It never came up in conversation. It is a shame as I think he would have loved to have learned about the man he lost so young.
One story I enjoyed reading in the documents I have found was the time he was riding down an incline and his horse falling, his right leg got caught in the stirrups - his horse got back up and bolted - dragging him a few yards, they had court papers to enquire into what happened and whose fault it was. Thankfully he was not charged - he was exonerated - as well as having a badly sprained ankle and 20 days in Hospital!
Henry is buried in the Vailly Cemetary in France and I think was in the Battle of Aisne as far as I can determine. There is still more to research and uncover.
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