Private 424014 Horace Binns

Killed in Action on Monday, 24th September 1917, age 39.
Commemorated on Panel 52 to 54 of Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

2nd/10th County of London Battalion TF (Hackney). 175th Brigade of 58th Division.
Formerly 3999 25th Rifle Brigade.

Son of Fanny Binns; husband of Leah Binns, of 21, Blackacre Rd., Dudley.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Dudley, Resident: Dudley.

First landed France & Flanders, 30th May 1917.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Dudley Clock Tower Memorial and St. James' Church Memorial, Eves Hill, Dudley.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/927801/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Horace Binns registered September quarter 1878 in Dudley.

1901 Census
New Buildings, Dudley Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Fanny Binns (45, Head, born Tipton), and her 2 children: Florence (24, born Tipton), and Horace (22, Manufacturer's Clerk, born Tipton).

Marriage of Horace Binns and Leah Davies registered in September quarter 1908 at Dudley. The birth of a daughter, Margery Davies Binns, was registered in June quarter 1909 at Dudley. Another daughter, Iris A. Binns, was born in September quarter 1910 but sadly died in March quarter 1911.

1911 Census
30 Castle Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Horace Binns (32, Clerk, born Tipton), his wife Leah (31, born Dudley), and their 1 surviving child of 2: Marjorie (2, born Tipton). Also Carrie Stephens, a 15-year old Domestic Servant.

Personal Data

Horace is likley to be also commemorated on the Bradley Methodist Church memorial where an N.H. Binns is recorded.

After Horace's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £1/17/7d (1 pound, 17 shillings and 7 pence); this was paid to his widow, Leah, in January 1918. His War Gratuity was £3/0/0d (3 pounds exactly), this was also paid to Leah in November 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Horace had enlisted within the previous 12 months.

Horace's widow, Leah, received a Pension Grant of £5 on 23rd October 1917. She was then awarded a pension of 18/9d (18 shillings and 9 pence) per week for herself and her daughter Margery, effective from 15th April 1918. An Alternative Pension scheme existed to protect the widows of men who had been higher earners, and this was the case for Horace Binns. The Pension Card records "Note that the widow of the above soldier has been awarded an Alternative Pension, under Article 13 of the Royal Warrant of March 1917 and April 1918, as follows: 23/10d (23 shillings and 10 pence) from 15th April 1918 to 30th April 1918, and 31/9d (31 shillings and 9 pence) from 1st May 1918. This award is in lieu of the current widow's pension of 13/9d a week with allowance for one child of 5/0d a week to 30th April 1918, and 6/0d per week from 1st May 1918. Dated 1st July 1918." Her address at this time was 52 Dando Road, Dudley.

Probate over Horace's estate was granted to James Philliston Whitehorn, Solicitor's Clerk, on 8th April 1918; the effects amounted to £562 (equivalent ot £31,000 in 2022).

Action resulting in his death

The 2nd/10th Londons arrived in France in February 1917, but it was May 30th before Horace Binns landed in France. It is possible that Horace would have joined the battalion by mid-June when they were in action at Bullecourt in what became known as the “Flanking Operation: the actions on the Hindenburg Line” when the battalion had 10 men killed on 14th June in a costly raid on the German lines.

July saw the battalion in Havrincourt Wood before spending much of August training near Arras. A move to the Ypres sector in late August saw a short period in the front line at St. Julien before more training in preparation for the Battle of Menin Road (20-25 September 1917).

The 2nd/10th Londons moved into the front line at Mon du Hibou near Poelcapelle on the night of 21st/22nd September. By then the most successful aspect of the Battle of Menin Road in that sector had already taken place with a successful attack by the sister battalion, the 2nd/1st Londons on 20th September.

During their 4 days in the line, the 2nd/10th Londons faced heavy German shelling, and a German counter attack on the 23rd which was repulsed. Their War Diary for 24th September says: “Heavy area shelling all day. Relieved at night. 3 Other Ranks killed; 15 Other Ranks wounded.” Horace Binns was one of the 3 men killed; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald October 20th 1917
In Memoriam
BINNS - In loving memory of Private Horace Binns, 2/10th London Regiment, fell in action in France September 24th 1917, aged 39. Dearly loved husband of Leah Binns, 24 Park Road Dudley (late of Castle Rd Tipton).,
also
THANKS
Mrs H Binns & Margery wish to thank all friends for letters of sympathy in their sad bereavement.

Dudley Herald September 28th 1918
IN MEMORIAM
In loving memory of Pte Horace Binns, who was killed in action in Belgium on 24th September 1917. Silently mourned by his mother and sister.
also
In loving memory of Private Horace Binns, 2nd/10th London Regiment, 24 Park Road, Dudley; killed in action, 24th September 1917. Fondly remembered by loving wife and Madge.