A Good Sheppard
Bombardier Harry Thomas Mark Sheppard Royal Artillery
The Man Harry Thomas Mark Sheppard was born on Saturday 26th February 1916 in Camberwell, London. Son of Harold Thomas Sheppard, a Tram Driver working for the London Passenger Transport Board and a serving soldier in the 15th London Regiment and Elizabeth Jane nee Gray.
Harry was eldest of four children, Frederick Harold H born in 1917, Joseph Charles John 1919 and Albert Edwin 1924.
By 1937 aged 21 Harry was living with his parents at 31 Darrell Road and in 1938, 75 Landells Road Camberwell. Harry also enlisted into the Territorial Army Royal Artillery with service number 891502 at about this time.
The 1939 census shows the entire family except Harry living at Landells Road. Interestingly Frederick, Joseph and Albert not appearing in the 1938 Electoral Register as they would have been too young at the time of registering (the age limit of 21 only being reduced to 18 years in 1969) and Harry presumably having already been called up.
During the third quarter of 1941 Harry married Grace Irene Nunn in Camberwell and shortly after was posted to the Middle East and Egypt as a part of the ongoing campaign and posted to Alexandria and Luxor. He appears to have remained here for the duration of the war but may also have been in Rome by 1944.
On 13th March 1946 Harry was demobilised and transferred to the reserve. H was awarded the 19139-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ the latter appearing on Army Order 134 of 1946.
By 1948 Harry is shown living once again with his parents at 76 Hindmans Road, Camberwell and they were still living there in 1960. During the third quarter of 1960 Harry appears to have re-married the same lady! He is shown as marrying Grace Irene Sheppard in Lewisham.
Harry died at East Dulwich Hospital in London on 28th January 1965 aged just 48 and leaving his possessions and £5319.00 to Grace. (£103,500.00 approx in 2021).
He was cremated at the Honor Oak Crematorium, Camberwell and his ashes buried in grave 14638 103-N/C. His brother Albert dealing with the details.
Grace died 38 years later in 2003 aged 81 and was living in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Harry was eldest of four children, Frederick Harold H born in 1917, Joseph Charles John 1919 and Albert Edwin 1924.
By 1937 aged 21 Harry was living with his parents at 31 Darrell Road and in 1938, 75 Landells Road Camberwell. Harry also enlisted into the Territorial Army Royal Artillery with service number 891502 at about this time.
The 1939 census shows the entire family except Harry living at Landells Road. Interestingly Frederick, Joseph and Albert not appearing in the 1938 Electoral Register as they would have been too young at the time of registering (the age limit of 21 only being reduced to 18 years in 1969) and Harry presumably having already been called up.
During the third quarter of 1941 Harry married Grace Irene Nunn in Camberwell and shortly after was posted to the Middle East and Egypt as a part of the ongoing campaign and posted to Alexandria and Luxor. He appears to have remained here for the duration of the war but may also have been in Rome by 1944.
On 13th March 1946 Harry was demobilised and transferred to the reserve. H was awarded the 19139-45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45 and the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ the latter appearing on Army Order 134 of 1946.
By 1948 Harry is shown living once again with his parents at 76 Hindmans Road, Camberwell and they were still living there in 1960. During the third quarter of 1960 Harry appears to have re-married the same lady! He is shown as marrying Grace Irene Sheppard in Lewisham.
Harry died at East Dulwich Hospital in London on 28th January 1965 aged just 48 and leaving his possessions and £5319.00 to Grace. (£103,500.00 approx in 2021).
He was cremated at the Honor Oak Crematorium, Camberwell and his ashes buried in grave 14638 103-N/C. His brother Albert dealing with the details.
Grace died 38 years later in 2003 aged 81 and was living in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
The Story The medal group awarded to Harry Thomas Mark Sheppard were acquired from the London Medal Centre on 21st March 2021.
They were of interest because of the photographs with the group and it felt important to keep the lot together.
Ancestry.UK and Harry’s will helped provide enough detail to build up a brief biography.
They were of interest because of the photographs with the group and it felt important to keep the lot together.
Ancestry.UK and Harry’s will helped provide enough detail to build up a brief biography.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Efficiency Medal: 891502 BDR. H.T.M.SHEPPARD. R.A.
This page last updated 30 Mar 21
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