Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Henry Howard

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Unmarked grave Henry Howard (1855-1935)

Henry was born in 1855 in Berkhamsted, the second son of  Harriett Howard. His father is not known. Harriet was 35 at the time, a straw plaiter, and daughter of Charles Howard, a lock keeper. In 1861 she and young Henry were living with widower Charles and her unmarried sister Sarah, a bonnet sewer, in Bridge Street. Living with them were George, Henry’s older brother, and a granddaughter of Charles, whose parentage is unclear.

In 1871 Henry and George were living in Bridge Street with their mother, who was an invalid. George was an engine driver and fifteen year old Henry was a labourer. Living with them was Harriett’s widowed older sister, described as a housekeeper.

Henry also became an engine driver and in November 1873 enlisted in the Royal Artillery where he served as a driver. His Army records describe him as 5’ 4 ½” tall, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.

Henry had one or two disciplinary incidents, ending up in the garrison cells for a few weeks in 1874 and 1876 and his discharge documents refer to his conduct as “Bad.”. He served until December 1878 when he was discharged on medical grounds. He was suffering from palpitations of the heart which had first occurred in 1877. The medical officer considered the condition had been caused in the service, was not aggravated by “vice” (ie not a sexually transmitted disease or one caused by alcohol abuse) and stated that it would seriously impair his future ability to work. Unfortunately for Henry, a man with his lack of education and humble background was unlikely to find any employment other than manual labour of some kind.

In 1879 Henry married Rose Finch in Berkhamsted and Henry jnr was born the next year.

In April 1881 Rose and young Henry jnr were living with her widowed father Charles Finch. Henry’s whereabouts are unknown.

Ernest was born in 1881.  In May 1884 the Berkhamsted Board of Guardians (administering the Poor Law) “resolved to offer a reward of £2 for the apprehension of Henry Howard.” It was not clear on what grounds.

William was born in 1888 and in December 1890 Henry found himself up in front of the magistrates for not sending his sons to school.

Rose jnr. was born in 1890 but sadly died in early 1891. At the time they were living in the very poor conditions of Red Lion Yard and Henry was a labourer.

In 1901 Henry and Rose were living in Bourne End and he was employed as a general labourer. They were still there in 1911 when Henry was working as a jobbing gardener.

In 1921 Rose and Henry, both aged 67, were living in Bourne End Lane, Boxmoor and Henry was employed at Meek’s sawmills as a general labourer. Rose died the next year.

Henry died in the Berkhamsted Workhouse in January 1935, aged 79.