Henry Bagshaw was the son of Frank and Daisy Elizabeth Bagshaw, born on 11th March 1919. The Bagshaw's lived at 18 Ranelagh Road, now in Adyfield when Henry married Joan Henrietta Cleveland towards the end of 1939, Joan's home was at Kilncotts, in St Albans road, the house was near the start of Tile Kiln Lane. Henry was employed at John Dickinson’s factory in Aspley as a clerk.

Towards the end of 1941, the British government sought to reinforce the British Army in North Africa and the 18th division left Britain on the 29th October 1941, bound for Egypt. The route taken was very long due to German U boats and by early December arrived at South Africa, the declaration of war by Japan on the 7th December would result in a change of destination, most of the 18th Infantry Division being diverted to India. The 53rd Brigade was sent to Singapore, where it was deployed to Johore and became embroiled in the Battle of Muar. After several short engagements with Japanese forces, the brigade was withdrawn to Singapore Island. The 5th, Beds and Herts Regiment arrived at Singapore on the 29th January and by the 5th February the rest of the division had arrived at Keppel Harbour. Ships were ablaze in the harbour, clouds of smoke drifted across the sky and the smell of fumes was overpowering, this was not the best of greetings.10 days later the island of Singapore surrendered to the Japanese.

Initially deployed to north-eastern Singapore Island, the division remained largely inactive while the Japanese attacked the north-west sector. Following the establishment of a Japanese beachhead and the arrival of more Japanese soldiers along with the Imperial Guards Division the British retreated, with the 18th division tacking up positions north of the town of Singapore.

Just what happened next is unclear as not a lot has been written about the 5th Beds & Herts involvement at Singapore. The battalion was split into two sections with C Company and some of the H.Q. Company staying with 55th Brigade as brigade reserve around the Mac Ritchie reservoir, just south of Thompson Village. This area was attacked by the Imperial Guards Division with C Company becoming front line troops on 13th/14th at Hill 105 and hill 80. This engagement resulted in 26 soldiers killed, 5 are known to have been murdered after they surrendered to the Japanese, 3 more from the same platoon were never seen again and are believed to have suffered the same fate as their bodies have never been found.

A, B and D Company’s Beds and Herts moved south on the 11th almost to the coast, defending positions on Hill 125 and Buona Vista Road with the 1st Malaya Brigade. When these were attacked on the 12th and 13th a withdrawal took place to the area of Hock San Brickwork and Hill 100.

Henrys army rank was that of C.Q.M.S (Company Quartermaster Sergeant) each Company had a C.Q.M.S. a person in charge of papers and administration for his particular Company, having found Henry was with 55th Brigade Head Quarters it is possible he was in C company's. Henry died on the 14th and buried along with 2 other soldiers in open ground just north of Singapore city, far away from the front fighting, so a possible victim of bombing, by the Royal Army Service Corp and the grave position recorded by them. The only reason I believe he does not have a grave today is the re burial parties after the end of the war could not distinguish between the 3 soldiers.

Links below to site with information on the Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment in Singapore 

http://www.adamparkproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/The-Hill-105-Report-V4.pdf

https://www.facebook.com/bedsandherts/?ref=page_internal