Description
Egypt Medal, 1882, 2 bars, Suakin 1885, Tofrek 41/2175 Private Henry J. Sargent, 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment, awarded the Royal Humane Medal in Bronze for saving a drowning soldier in Gibraltar during 1884.
One day during 1915, whilst on his way to work he tragically collapsed and died on the spot, 9 months earlier he had been hit in the head by an Iron Bar whilst working as a Stevedore, which finally caused his death.
Officially engraved: “41/2175. Pte. H. Sargent. 1/Berks: R.”
From his service papers:
Special instance of gallant conduct:- Saved the Life of a Private Soldier of the 1st Bn Loyal North Lancashire Regt at Gibraltar (New Mole) 15th January 1884.
Medals:- Egyptian Medal 1882, and bronze star, medal from the Royal Humane Society. Clasps for the Battle of Tofrek and Suakin 1885.
Served:-
Home, 12th August 1880 – 7th March 1881
Gibraltar, 8th March 1881 – 7th July 1882
Malta, 8th July 1882 – 22nd July 1882
Egypt, 23rd July 1882 – 11th May 1883
Gibraltar, 12th May 1883 – 20th August 1884
Egypt, 21st August 1884 – 31st May 1885
Cyprus, 1st June 1886 – 19th Novr 1887
Home, 20th Novr 1887 -11th August 1892.
Enlisted for a further 4 years with Army Reserve D, from 12th August 1892 – 11th August 1896.
After his discharge whilst living in Southampton he signed up, aged 40 with the local Militia, the 3rd Bn Hants Regiment.
He served for 4 years from 4th May 1898 until 3rd May 1902.
It notes during this time he was enrolled in the Special Service Section of Militia from 31st May 1899 and was “Joined for embodiment” on 24th January 1900, having possibly got himself a posting to the Boer War with the Militia, although the papers don’t note any medals or particulars of service.
After another 4 years, he signed on for a further 4 years with the “Reserve Division of the Militia”, being discharged on 29th March 1907.
Mr Henry James Sargeant or Sargent, was born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk circa 1858.
Hampshire Advertiser, 23rd January 1915:
“SUDDEN DEATH – Mr Henry James Sargeant died under tragic circumstances on Monday. He was a stevedore, living in Derby Road, and 60 years of age.
He left home for work in the morning, and 2 hours later was discovered unconscious in the roadway, and shortly afterwards he died.
At the inquest held by the Borough Coroner on Tuesday it transpired that 9 months ago an Iron Bar had fallen upon his head, and he had complained of pains since.
Mr Keppell Compton attributed death to cerebral haemorrhage, due to natural causes, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly.
