Henry St. Giles Humphreys, always known as 'Harry' Humphreys, was born in Llangan, Glamorgan, Wales, on the 1st September 1885, the eldest of the five sons of The Reverend Henry James and Mrs. Sydney Humphreys (née Williams). In December 1901, he entered Denstone College, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, after which he was educated at Owen's College, Manchester, Lancashire.
He later became a farmer and immigrated to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1903. In 1911, or early 1912, he returned to Wales on a holiday, for on the 29th April 1912, he returned to Canada, via New York City in the United States of America, on the Cunarder, Cameronia, from Liverpool. He didn’t remain long in Saskatchewan, because he travelled through the United States of America in August 1913 and settled in Los Angeles, California. In October 1914, he applied to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. He resided at 1312. West 31st Street, Los Angeles.
In the spring of 1915, his brothers having already enlisted in units of the British and Imperial Armies, Harry decided to return home and also join the forces of the Crown, to fight for his country. By this time, his father was curate of St. Peter’s Church, in Pwllheli, Carnarvonshire, Wales.
Consequently, having booked as a second cabin passenger on the Lusitania’s
sailing out of New York on 1st May 1915, Harry Humphreys left Los Angeles at the end of April and joined the liner at her berth at Pier 54, in New York port, on May Day morning. He had his last view of the city as the liner sailed out into the Atlantic Ocean just after mid-day. Her departure from the port had been delayed, as she had had to embark passengers, cargo and some crew members from the Anchor Lines vessel the S.S. Cameronia, which had been requisitioned by the British Admiralty for war service at the end of April.
Six days later, he was one of the many killed after the vessel was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine
U-20, twelve miles off the coast of southern Ireland and only hours away from her Liverpool destination. As his body was never recovered and identified afterwards, he has no known grave. He was aged 29 years.
After the sinking, his father and mother inserted an advertisement in The Times
newspaper seeking any information about the end of their son’s life and were apparently answered by a couple who remembered him and who stated that he might have been saved, had he not weakened himself trying to save the lives of others!
Although he has no known grave, Harry Humphreys’ name is inscribed on a plaque in St. Peter‘s Church, in Lleiniau Street, in Pwllheli, in between similar plaques which commemorate two of his brothers John and Noel, who were also killed in the Great War.
The plaques are made of brass or bronze, with white enamel ornate edgings to both sides and black enamelled lettering in the centre. The one which applies to Harry Humphreys states: -
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
HARRY HUMPHREYS
AGED 29
WHO MET DEATH ON THE LUSITANIA MAY 7TH 1915
WHEN ON HIS WAY HOME TO FIGHT FOR HIS COUNTRY
Second Lieutenant John Theodore Gordon Humphreys of The 40th Pathans (Indian Army), was killed in action on the 19th July 1917 in British East Africa, and Captain Noel Forbes Humphreys, of The 10th Battalion The Tank Corps, who had previously won a Military Cross, having been shot through the head in action, died of his wounds on 27th March 1918. One son who survived, was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force and the other was Captain H.V.W Humphreys, unit unknown, who like his brother Noel, also won a Military Cross.
In January 1920, having moved on from Pwllheli, The Reverend H.J. Humphreys wrote to the War Office concerning the deaths of his three sons and particularly that of Harry Humphreys. The letter stated: -
Thornlea Vicarage,
Tow Law,
Co. Durham
Jan: 5th 1920
Dear Sir
I am instructed to apply to you for the payment of two Pounds representing gratuity in respect of service due to the late Capt. N. Forbes Humphreys M.C. Tank Corps. I have already received a gratuity on account of my late Son. Lieut J.T.G. Humphreys, 40th (Pathans) Killed in B.E.A. buried in Naron gombr. I wish to know whether anything is going to be done on account of my eldest son. Henry S. Giles who was hastening over from Los Angeles with all his effects to get a commission like his Brothers the late N.F. and Captn H.V.W. Humphreys M.C.
But he was met by the enemy on his way, having taken his passage in the Lusitania. The Official Trustees invited me to accept £10 on this account. Owing to the death of this son I had to borrow a considerable sum of money to pay debts which he would have paid had he lived. I had bought land in Springlake Broadview Sask: Canada, for my three sons (one of them who joined the Canadian contingent has now returned and is settled on this land) I had been persuaded to leave one quarters section No 25. N.E. sect. in the name of Henry S. Giles and he borrowed money on it. This and other monies I have had to repay. I do not know what steps are being taken to recover from Germany a sum of money to make up to the relatives of those who were lost.
Like the others, this Son, lost his life in striving to save others, such is the testimony of a survivor, who wrote to us in answer to an advertisement in the Times. He said that he had sat at the same table as my Son in the Lusitania. He and his Wife were saved, He said, that my Son, who was a powerful swimmer, might have been saved, but he used up his strength in helping others. Thank God for that.
If the War Office is doing anything on account of the Lusitania I should be glad to have such a sum as I had to pay on account of the death of my Son. I had to borrow it and I have repaid it.
Yours truly
H.J. Humphreys
It is not known if he received any compensation.
Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1891 Census of England & Wales, 1901 Census of England & Wales, U.S. Naturalization Records 1840 - 1957, New York Passenger Lists 1820 – 1957, Canadian Passenger Lists 1865 – 1935, Cunard Records, Britain's Maritime Memorials, Denstone College Register 1873-1930, PRO BT 100/345, PRO WO 339/530, Deaths at Sea 1871 – 1968, Graham Maddocks, Joe Devereux, Reverend Ainsley Griffiths, Wil Martin, Geoff Whitfield, Michael Poirier, Jim Kalafus, Cliff Barry, Paul Latimer, Norman Gray.
Copyright © Peter Kelly.