Henry died on 16 May 2003, aged 84 years. He enlisted on 24 December 1936 at Devonport and was posted to The 4th/7th Dragoon Guards. He gained his 3rd and 2nd Class Education Certificates in 1937.

Sgt PH Gargett
Sgt PH Gargett

He, together with many other members of The 4th/7th DG was posted to The 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, then at Abassia Barracks, Cairo, in March 1938, which was a quiet year for the Regiment, who were taking part in the training of the Matruh Mobile force, the precursor of The 7th Armoured Division. From March 1939 onwards training increased.

He took, part in the desert battles up to May 1941, when he was posted to the RAC Depot. He had been, since November 1940, a corporal. He continued to serve in Egypt until March 1945, when he returned to the UK, marrying Isobella on 26 April 1945 at Plymouth. A son, Anthony, was born on St Patrick’s Day 1946.

He rejoined the Regiment, then at Moll in Belgium, on 13 September 1945, remaining with them until returning to the UK on 27 January 1946 for his last few months of service.

He held the Africa Star, 1939/45 Star, War Medal and the Defence Medal.

He took his discharge to B Reserve in 1946, going to the Z Reserve in 1948 and leaving it in 1954.

He took up residence in Plymouth and worked for Costains as a lorry driver. He then worked for WH Smith on the trains from London to Plymouth.

Following that, he worked for Bush in the TV factory as a supervisor of the drivers for 10 years and finished his working life as a static guard and dog handler for Securicor. He had to give up work with a bad heart at the age of 62 years.

He had five sons, and was a granddad and great-granddad, who loved his children, grandchildren and also his dogs. He joined the Regimental Association in January 1990.

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