J Henry Onions (1884 - 1918)

James Henry Onions was born in London in 1884. His father, Gabriel John, was a garden labourer who had been born in Pattingham. His mother, Harriet Euphemia, was from Chelsea.

By 1891 the family had moved back to Shropshire and were living in Badger where they settled. Ten years later, the sixteen-year-old James Henry was working as poultry boy at Bradney Farm.

James Henry (known as Harry) served with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. He was with the 1/4th Battalion at the time of his death but must have served with another unit previously as he is recorded as going to France on 22nd July, 1915 - when 1/4th were still in the Far East.

Harry Onions was killed in action on 30th September, 1918. The 1/4th was in the front lines near Loos. The Regimental History records:

The attack which took place at 7.30 a.m. on September the 30th was completely successful, and by 7.45 the primary objective, La Laies Ditch, had been captured. Later in the day "Notion Trench" was also captured and consolidated. The casualties were, however, heavy.

Private James Henry Onions, 11240, is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. He was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 1915 Star.