Richard/Henry Eastham Overview

Richard/Henry Eastham Overview

known 1st January 1880

Private 110148, Canadian Mounted Rifles, 5th Battn (Quebec Regt). Born Blackpool, residence St Annes, enlisted Stanstead, Canada Listed in CWG etc as Henry Eastham. Note that Ashton Gardens lists both R Eastham and H Eastham. Died of gunshot wound and fractured left thigh at 9th CCS on 20/12/16, aged 32. Named in the Memorial Chapel at St Annes Parish Church and on the memorial in Ashton Gardens and buried at Rouen, St Sever Cemetery Extension, Block O, Plot III, Grave H9. In the 1911Census Richard Eastham is listed as married and living at 127 Church Rd St Annes aged 29, with his parents, siblings and a grandson Douglas aged 2. Richard was born in St. Annes and was a bricklayer. He was baptised at St. Annes Parish Church on 11th May 1882 by Rev WG Terry. We believe that he emigrated to the USA sometime between 1911 and his attestation on 02/07/15, crossing the border to enlist in Canada. His wife and children followed and then came to England after Richard had joined the Canadian forces. Richard changed his name to Henry and posed as single man to enlist, citing his mother, Helen Eastham, of 127 Church Rd St. Annes as his next of kin. The reason for this could have been that married men joining the forces in Canada, had to have the written permission of their wives. It could be that Mrs Eastham was still in USA at the time of his attestation, or perhaps she did not approve. The St. Annes Express reported his death on 5/1/17 “Private Richard Eastham of the Canadian Mounted Rifles succumbed to gunshot wounds and a fractured thigh at a Rouen hospital in the presence of his wife Mrs. Eastham who resides at 20 Church Rd. After being wounded it was found necessary to amputate his right leg, while if he had been able to stand the shock his left would have been removed. A native of St Annes Pte Eastham was 34 years of age and the son of Mr. John Eastham of 127 Church Rd. who has already lost one son in the war, Pte William Eastham. Pte Eastham was educated at Heyhouses School. At St. Annes Pte Eastham was employed as a bricksetter by the Alexandra Sawmills Co. Three little children are left to mourn the loss of a brave daddy.” We feel certain that Richard and Henry are one and the same person due to the date of death being given in a memoriam notice in St Annes Express, also the home address and date of birth (30/03/1882) given in the Attestation Papers. Sources of Information CWG. Census. Canadian Archives. St Annes Express (full report & photo, 05/01/17, in memoriam, 21/12/16)

Created by: , Fiona12861

  • Profile picture for Henry Eastham

    Born 1882

    Died 1916

    Canadian Expeditionary Force 110148

    Canadian Expeditionary Force 110148 Private Canadian Mounted Rifles 5th Battalion