Henry Curtis was the second son and one of a total of ten children born to the Curtis family. He was born on 18th January 1892 and lived with his mother at 24 North Cliff, Conisbrough.

 

He was an early volunteer at the outbreak of war and was originally enlisted as Private 13504, York and Lancaster Regiment. On 8th September 1914 he transferred over to the NAvy, and joined the Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) as an Able Seaman - military service number KW/765 - which means that he had at least two years’ experience at sea. 

 The Drake Battalion became the 1st Battalion of the 1st Brigade of the Royal Naval Division (RND) in February 1915. When the Battalion left England on 28th February 1915 it comprised 33 officers, 996 other ranks, plus 92 horses or mules. The history shows that the Battalion sailed to Valetta, Malta, and then moved on to the island of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea. In late March, the Battalion sailed for Port Said, until early April when they returned to the Aegean islands. In late April, the Battalion was part of the Gallipoli attacks as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. They were bombed by two Turkish planes, but the attack was unsuccessful. Turkish artillery however was more successful. In early May, the Battalion left for the trenches. 

 

No particular events are listed as having happened on 27th August 1915 when Henry died, but his death is listed under the header ‘Gallipoli Campaign’. At the time of his death, he was with his Battalion in the front line, where the RND were holding the trenches between Gully Ravine in the West, and Krithia Nullah in the east. 

 

He is buried in Pink Farm Cemetery, however his grave must have been disturbed at some point; he is commemorated on a special memorial for men who are known to be buried in the cemetery, but where the exact location of his grave is not known.