Medal & Mortality index
Killed in Action 23 Aug 1914
The De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour :
Henstock, Kenneth Parnell, Lieut 4th Battalion The Duke of Cambridge's Own
(Middlesex regiment), son of Col F T Henstock, late West India and West African
regiments; born Up Park Camp, Jamaica, West Indies, 19 July 1893; educated
Bradfield College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; was gazetted 2nd
Lieutenant Middlesex regiment 4 September 1912, being promoted Lieutenant 11 Aug
1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed
in action at Mons 23 Aug 1914, while leading his platoon.
THE BATTLE OF MONS
The morning of the 23rd opened sunny and bright. The weather was set fair with a
breeze from the east, a cloudless sky, and the promise of great heat at midday.
A pale blue haze rounded off the distance, and softened the outlines of the
tall, gaunt chimney stacks with which the entire country is dotted.
To the right of the Nimy bridge the 4th Middlesex were in the meanwhile putting
up a no less stubborn defence, and against equally desperate odds. Major Davey,
whose company was on the left, in touch with the right of the R. Fusiliers, had
fallen wounded early in the day, and the position at that point finally became
so serious that Major Abell's company was rushed up from reserve to its support.
During this advance Major Abell himself, Captain Knowles and 2nd Lieut. Henstock
were killed, and a third of the rank and file fell, but the balance succeeded in
reaching the firing line trenches and—with this stiffening added—the position
was successfully held for the time being.
The CWGC shows the grave at Saint Symphorien cemetery
Plot 5 Row B Lists the following 5 soldiers all died 23rd August 1914 at Vimy
ridge:
Royal Irish Regiment ; Wilby Pte W
4/Royal Fusiliers ; Dease Lt M J (V.C.)
Royal Fusiliers ; Mead 2/Lieutenant F J
Royal Fusiliers ; Forster Capt F A
4/Middlesex regiment ; Henstock Lieut