204479 Private Henry Edward Brain British Army D Squadron Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars from:Calthorpe Street, Banbury, Oxon Harry Brain enlisted in the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars in 1910 yet his war service started on 20th April 1915 when he landed in Egypt whilst attached to the Corps of Hussars. He had a younger brother Albert who was sadly killed on 21st November 1914 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Harry returned from Egypt some time in 1916 as he is recorded as joining the QOOH in April 1916.The QOOH was split into 3 line units. The 1/1st, which went to France, and the 2/1st and 3/1st which remained in the UK. He must have been attached to the 2/1st or 3/1st unit at this time. The Yeomanry 2nd and 3rd line units were constantly called on to provide drafts for overseas reinforcements and, in fact, all fit officers and men were eventually posted abroad. This must have happened to Harry when he went to France in December 1916. The regiment was in Vaulx in France in December 1916. The regiment served in Arras, Gillemont Farm and Cambrai areas during the period that Harry was with them. Harry’s service ended on 23rd March 1918 when he was wounded East of Noyon in the Battle of St Quentin during the Kaiserschlacht, Germany’s last great gamble to win the war. His son, my father (Bill) told me that Harry was wounded in the leg and the bullet was never removed. The Battle of St Quentin was a costly one for the QOOH. 4 officers were wounded, 19 OR’s (Other Ranks) killed or died of wounds and 46 OR’s wounded. Harry’s movements after being wounded are not known. What is known is that there was a Casualty Clearing Station (C.C.S No.46) in Noyon from 4th February 1918 to 28th March 1918). He may have passed through this C.C.S. Also, for part of his treatment he was in a military hospital in Grimsbury in Banbury. Harry was discharged from service on 22nd February 1919
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