260014 Dvr. Henry Gristwood DCM.British Army 160th Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery from:Amersham Henry Gristwood was born on 4th April 1884 in Rickmansworth, Herts, the son of William Gristwood, a railway platelayer, and Sarah. In 1908 he married Amy Lindars and in 1911 was working as a warehouseman and delivery driver (with horses) for a firm selling eggs, milk and cream in Amersham, Bucks.
In 1916 his employer lost an appeal to keep him out of the army and he joined he Royal Field Artillery.
In June 1919 he was gazetted for having been awarded the DCM. The circumstances are explained in the London Gazette of 9th March 1920. As a driver with A Battery of 160th Brigade RFA he had gone night after night between 7th and 15th October 1918 to pick up rations under heavy fire over open ground. The battery was then behind Gheluwe.
After the war he returned to work for his original employer, driving a pony and cart.
The 1939 Register shows him as a resident caretaker for the Council Offices in Amersham and he was also an ARP warden.
He died in May 1954 in Amersham Hospital.
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