Henley’s Tommies: The Men from Henley-on-Thames

Though the Hundred Days Offensive was fought across France and Belgium, its effects reached Henley’s homes, workplaces and families. Men from the town continued to fight and die during the final weeks of the war. For local families, hope and grief unfolded side by side.

Private G. Horwood

15th (The King’s) Hussars, 9th Cavalry Brigade | Highmoor, Oxfordshire

Private George Horwood was 28 when his division took part in the advance at Amiens.

The cavalry was intended to pass through the initial breakthrough and push further into German-held territory around Caix.

But George never returned home – he was killed in action on 8 August 1918. His parents, Robert and Emma, lost a son. His brothers, William and Thomas, and sisters, Emily, Ellen, Annie, Fanny and Edith, lost a brother.

Image: Private George Horwood, 15th (The King’s) Hussars. Image reproduced with permission from Mike Willoughby, Bringing Them Home: Men of Henley 1914–1921.

Private George Sawney

“A letter no family wanted to receive”

George Sawney’s family lived at the Stables, Friar Park, where he had worked as a groom before the war.

He served with the Army Service Corps and was attached to 104th Anti-Aircraft Section. George was killed near Bapaume on 19 August 1918. He was 30 years old.

His commanding officer wrote to his parents:

“It is very difficult to write this letter. I do so sympathise with you.” He remembered George as “such a fine fellow” who “got on well with his comrades.”

Image: Sawney family memorial, Henley-on-Thames. Photograph: Sofia Thomas Hinds, 2026.

Private Frank Tomalin

“The Day Dawns, Shadows Flee Away”

Frank Tomalin was born at Badgemore and lived with his family at 93 Bell Street. He served with the 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment.

On 21 August 1918, Frank was in the front line near Kemmel in Flanders.

He was part of a Lewis gun team, waiting to take part in an attack, when German shellfire struck his position. Frank was killed before the attack began.

He was 20 years old.

He is buried at Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Image: The grave of Private Frank Tomalin at Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cemetery, Belgium. Image reproduced with permission from Mike Willoughby, Bringing Them Home: Men of Henley 1914–1921.

Private Godfrey Allum

5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment | Henley-on-Thames

Among the men returning to the Somme was Private Godfrey Allum of Henley-on-Thames.

On 22 August 1918, his battalion advanced towards Meaulte. Four days later, the battalion attacked German positions east of Carnoy under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. Only a small number reached the German trenches.

Godfrey was killed on 26 August 1918. He was 25 years old. He is buried at Péronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt. Godfrey’s eldest brother, Arthur, had already been killed in 1917. James and Eliza Allum had now lost two sons.

Image: The grave of Private Godfrey Allum at Péronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, France. Image reproduced with permission from Mike Willoughby, Bringing Them Home: Men of Henley 1914–1921.

Gunner Charles Aubrey Tovey

119th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery | Henley-on-Thames

Charles helped operate the battery’s heavy guns, directing fire against German artillery, defensive positions and transport routes. He worked behind the front line but remained within range of enemy guns.

On 27 September 1918, Charles was struck by a shell splinter in the neck and died instantly. He was 30 years old and is buried at Demicourt Communal Cemetery, France.

His headstone bears the words:

‘Peace Perfect Peace’

Private Frederick Albert Tombs

“A life cut short”

Frederick Tombs was born in Henley and had connections to Gravel Hill and Harpsden Road.

He joined the Army as soon as he was eligible to serve. Frederick first served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry before transferring to the 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.

Frederick was captured while serving in France. He died while receiving treatment in a German hospital on 14 October 1918. He was 19 years old.

He is commemorated at Worms (Hochheim Hill) Cemetery in Germany.