Henry Norris was born in Everton and attested to the 6th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment in August 1914, being issued the service number 10488.
They commenced their training at Tidworth and spent a heavy winter polishing themselves and their skills up at Salisbury Plain before moving to billets at Winchester.
Henry’s medal Index Card confirms that he sailed for Gallipoli with the Battalion on 1st July 1915, this probably being the date on which they left Egypt.
The battalion formed part of the 13th Division, sent to reinforce the earlier landings which were encountering fierce Turkish opposition. They landed at “W” Beach on 7th July and spent the remainder of the month training, also relieving the troops in the front line for short spells. They were pulled out of the peninsula on 31st July and went to Mudros for rest until 4th August, when they once again returned to the peninsula, this time landing at Anzac Cove.
The battalion was tasked to take part in the new general attack which Gen. Hamilton had planned, due to commence on 6th/7th with a night attack by the ANZAC’s. They formed part of the reserve and on the first day whilst still in bivouac, they suffered 68 casualties from shell fire. They were involved in some of the heaviest fighting of the campaign over the next few days, finally withdrawing on the 10th. They spent the remainder of August in holding trenches in the Aghyl Dere area, their number being constantly reduced by shell fire and sickness.
It’s impossible to say when Henry was wounded, but after initial treatment he would have been sent to Mudros, then on to Alexandria for further treatment. He Died of Wounds in Alexandria on 24th August 1915.
The Battalion lost 159 men between the landing at Gallipoli and the date of Henry’s death.
