Found and researched by Historian Andrew Mackay,
who has visited Henry’s grave several times
Educated in St Peter's Church of England Primary School, in Burnley, Henry enlisted in the 1st East Lancashire Regiment when he was 25. By the time of his death, Henry was a Lance Corporal. His Army Number was 7349.
Henry was Killed in Action on 6th July 1915. The Burnley Express newspaper reported that his father was Sergeant Albert Stanworth, steward of the National Reserve Club in Coal Street, Burnley.
A letter to his father from his Company Officer reads: - “A parcel sent to your son with perishable goods was divided amongst the men of your late son’s company”.
Private J. Bracewell sent a letter to the family telling them that Henry was killed by a shell.
Henry is buried at Talana Farm Cemetery, Diksmuidseweg, 8904 Ieper, Belgium – Grave Reference: II.F.24.
Henry's neice Cynthia Morris from Burnley, also visited his grave and said: "Henry was my mother's brother. He was the eldest of five and she was the youngest. The cemetery where he is buried is very small and peaceful. It is very near a cornfield with poppies."
“AN APPEAL TO STAY AT HOMES”
Here am I, just a private soldier,
There may be braver, there may be bolder,
But I’m doing my best, like thousands more,
To keep the enemy from England’s shore.
But often I think of those “stay-at-homes,”
Who care little for a soldier’s wounds and groans;
I wonder if they will be termed as men,
When peace reigns supreme again,
Here we struggle, day after day,
To victory we’ll sure have our way;
But success would be slow to come,
Had we all stayed at home like some,
We have good homes we respect, like you,
Parents, wives, and children too;
Yet we deny ourselves of all homely pleasures,
While you just take things at your leisure,
Come, brothers, come, just think,
And don’t like cowards from the enemy shrink.
Just think what depends upon this war,
And think of us from home so far.
So come like men, and rally round,
Don’t let the old flag be torn to the ground.
Just help to keep old England’s name,
And gain more glories and more fame.
Henry Stanworth 1st East Lancs
Killed in Action 6th July 1915.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/andrew.mackay.33865
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world-war-1/469374/WWI-Soldiers-poem-urging-stay-at-homes-to-join-the-fight-emerges-100-years-on
http://www.burnleyinthegreatwar.info/poemsindex.htm
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