Contributed by Ron Inglis, April 2022:
Henry Bancroft, born in Parramatta, declared his age to be ‘26 years 6 months’ when he enlisted at Holsworthy on 23 August 1915. A printer, Bancroft had completed seven years’ apprenticeship with J B Philip and Sons and he nominated his mother, Mrs Emma Bancroft of The Parade, Enfield, as his next-of-kin.
Bancroft had extensive military experience, declaring he had been 8 years Australian Rifles and 3 years Light Horse. Single on enlistment, he married Ivy Agnes before he embarked on the Suevic on 20 December 1915.
Bancroft had a month in hospital in Egypt with influenza but returned to his unit, the 53rd Battalion, and travelled with them to the Western Front arriving in the French port of Marseilles on 28 June 1916. The troops were transported by train to the Nursery Sector in the far north of France.
Bancroft died of wounds sustained at the disastrous feint at Fromelles, 19-20 July 1916. He was buried in the Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-lys and for his gravestone his wife chose the inscription: IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND ONE OF THE BEST
Henry was the older brother of Private George Bancroft who died of Epidemic Cerebro Spinal Meningitis in the Field Hospital at Liverpool, NSW on 16 October 1915.
Henry Bancroft is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn Boys Public School Great War Photographic Honour Roll
- Burwood War Memorial Arch
- Enfield War Memorial Cenotaph
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra