6912 Gunner Harry George Camp, Royal Field Artillery, 27 Bde, 121 Battery

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Date: 27 July 1916.

Connection: 1914 Star trio & RFA shoulder title.

I bought Gunner Harry Camp's 1914 Star trio at an antiques' shop in Hoddesdon in July 2024, and also bought his son's Second World War medals at the same time. I am always looking for medals to men who arrived overseas in 1914 but at the time of this purchase I was unaware that Harry also ticked my collecting box for July 1916. Harry was married in October 1899 and yet by February 1900 he had buried both his wife and infant son. Three months later he enlisted with the Royal Artillery. These are my notes about him.

9th March 1880. Born at Hertford Heath

April 1881. Census gives place of birth as Little Amwell. The only child of John and Kate Camp. Living at London Road, Little Amwell.

April 1891. Census gives place of birth as Little Amwell. Living at 1 Church Hill, Little Amwell.

7th October 1899. Marries Florence Rosina Rist at Holy Trinity Church, Little Amwell

30th December 1899. Birth of son, Joseph Albert Camp.

28th January 1900. Death of son, Joseph Albert Camp.

3rd February 1900. Florence Rosina Camp buried at Wareside, Herts; aged 23. Date of death unknown.

May 1900. Joins Royal Artillery. 9615 John James Atkinson joined at Woolwich on 28th May 1900 and so Harry Camp would have joined at about the same time.

April 1901. Missing on 1901 census. Possibly overseas, but no medals for South Africa located.

May 1909. Marries Kathleen or Katherine (Kate) or Catherine Hoare at Heavitree, Devon.

3rd September 1909. Birth of Harry Sidney John Camp, son of Harry George and Catherine Camp.

21st November 1909. Baptism of Harry Sidney John Camp at Holy Trinity Church, Little Amwell (above). Father’s trade given as soldier. 

April 1911. Census shows Harry Camp at Hilsea Barracks, Portsmouth, aged 31, married; a gunner. This suggests that he had extended his service to complete 12 years with the colours and, by this stage may have already re-engaged to complete 21 years. Wife, Katherine (Kate) Camp is boarding at Woodside House, Hertford Heath and working as a laundress. She has a one-year-old son, Harry Camp.

28th August 1912. Birth of daughter, Nellie Camp.

January 1915. Birth of daughter, Lille Mons Camp.

27th July 1916. Wounded. Admitted to 14th Field Ambulance with “GSW, thigh R”. Evacuated to CCS Vequemont between 6am and 12 noon. Noted as serving with 27 Bde, Royal Field Artillery. A separate entry notes that he was wounded in the right knee and also confirms that he was serving with 121 Battery, 27 Bde, 5th Division:

7th January 1921. Birth of son, James Camp.

June 1921. Working as a carman at Haileybury College and living at 7 Church Terrace, Hertford Heath. Could possibly have completed 21 years’ service with the army the previous month, albeit there is no evidence of an army LSGC medal.

19th February 1924. Birth of son, Frederick Camp

1926. Birth of son, Robert A Camp.

1927. Death of son, Robert A Camp. GRO deaths, 4th Qtr 1927, Vol 3a, page 319; aged 1

1939 Register. Working as a carman and living at 7 Church Terrace, Hertford.

1963. Death registered at Hertford in April quarter, aged 83.

The two undated photos of Harry Camp were originally published on Ancestry.co.uk


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