LCpl Henry J. Brannigan

Henry Branigan (whose name is spelled incorrectly on his gravestone and in newspapers) was born either at Shankhill, Co. Antrim, or Arvalee near Omagh in Co. Tyrone - records disagree on his birthplace. He enlisted in the Irish Guards while still in Ireland and came over to Warley with the 1st Battalion in the lead up to the first world war.

He went to France on the 21st August 1914 and was probably with the Irish Guards when they were at the battle of Mons a few days later (he arived in France a week later than the other Irish Guards, so it is not clear if he made it to re-unite with his unit in time for the battle).

He was wounded twice during the war, once in May 1915 and the second time while taking part in the Battle of Loos. The Irish Guards were part of an assault on the German trenches and made a charge across no mans land along with some 75,000 British troops across the front at Loos on September 25th 1915. The attack was a failure due to reinforcements not being ready, and about 8,500 British troops were killed. Henry wounded, but was promoted to Lance Corporal for bravery and bomb throwing in the field. Due to his injuries he returned to Britain, and even managed to travel home to Ireland for some leave, but unfortunately later died at Warley as reported in the Strabane Weekly News:

Intimation has been received that Corporal Henry Brannigan [sic], a native of Arvalee, Omagh, has died from wounds in Warley Hospital Essex. The deceased, who belonged to the Irish Guards, was one of three brothers serving with the colours. In November 1913, Corporal Brannigan joined the army and at the outbreak of war went out to France with the 1st Battalion of the Guards. He was wounded for the first time in May 1915, and recovering was attached to the 2nd Battalion of the Guards. He was seriously wounded for the second time in the famous charge of the Guards at Loos, and at the same time was promoted to be corporal for bravery and bomb throwing in the field. He was subsiquently removed to Warley Hospital, Essex, and a short time before his death had sufficiently recovered to be ranted ten days furlough. He took advantage of the occasion to visit his native place, but on returning to Warley he suddenly became worse and passed away.