Shoeing Smith (Rowland) Henry Threadgould

Henry Threadgould was born to parents Thomas and Alice. His parents had married in 1878 and their first child named Rose Agnes was born shortly after. In 1881 the family were living at 19 Great Chapel Street and Thomas worked as an Electric Plate finisher. Sadly, Rose died aged 3 in December 1882.

By the time Henry was born on 18th May 1888, his parents had two children Jessie, born in 1883 and John Charles known as Charles born in January 1886. All three children were baptised on 4th July 1888 at St. Gabriel’s Parish church in Pimlico, and Henry was given the names Rowland Henry. At this time the family address was listed as J block Peabody Avenue.

Henry had two further siblings: Frank born 20th June 1890 and Mary born November 1895.

The census of 1901 shows Henry's father Thomas aged 55 working as a Silver and Electro finisher, his mother Alice is aged 45 and the family living at U block Peabody Building, Pimlico with their five children.

On 4th June 1908, Henry’s younger brother Frank enlisted with the East Surrey Regiment, he had been working as a butcher’s assistant and the family address was given as 39 Hamilton Road. Frank served for 99 days then on 11th September 1908 joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers in Dublin. Whilst in Dublin Frank married Agnes Murphy on 30th September 1910.

Six weeks later Frank was declared a deserter on 14th November 1910, however he surrendered and rejoined his unit on 30th May 1911. He stood trial and was convicted on 14th June 1911. He returned to duty with the loss of privileges on 5th July 1911 and posted on 13th November that same year. He served throughout the 1st world war and was eventually demobbed on 16th April 1919. His address was listed as 59 Hamilton Road, Wimbledon.

In the census of 1911 Parents Thomas and Alice were living at 21 Mill Road, Wimbledon with two of their children: Charles now 26 working as a Vacuum Cleaner and Mary 15 as an Electric Light Flange maker. Henry’s parents stated they had been married 32 years; had six children with one having died and were living in a 5-room house.

Henry meantime listed as William Henry was a private with the 12th Royal Lancers, service number 978 out in Khartoum in Sudan. When war broke out in 1914 Henry was still a private with the 12th Royal Lancers and embarked overseas once again on 15th August 1914.

The following year aged 26 Rowland Henry living at 59 Hamilton Road, Wimbledon, married Ada Anderson on 17th April 1915 at Holy Trinity Church, Wimbledon. His occupation was listed as a Soldier. Whilst his father was now listed as a Watchman.

Henry served throughout the first world war. Unfortunately, his war records could not be traced, and it’s not known if Henry and Ada had any children in their four- year marriage.

Henry died at Curragh Hospital in Kildare Ireland from a Gastric Ulcer on 6th February 1919. At the time of his death Henry’s rank was listed as a Shoeing Smith with the 1st Reserve Regiment of Lancers in Ireland. He still had his same service number of 978. Farriers and Shoeing smiths were needed to keep horses moving. A man would be trained as a Shoeing Smith and could be promoted to a Shoeing Corporal and then to Farrier Sergeant.

Henry was buried on 11th February 1919 at Morden Cemetery Aged 30.

Ada, Henry’s widow was granted a war gratuity of £27 12s and 10p. Her address was quoted as 152 Hartfield Road, Wimbledon. She remarried in 1921 and became the wife of a Frank W Johnson.