Hensley, Wilfrid Henry

Wilfrid was born in Warwick on 14th July 1894 and baptised on 29th August 1894, by his own father who was the Rev. Henry Gabriel Hensley, vicar of St Paul’s between 1887 and 1908.  At that time the family were living at 31 High Street.  Wilfrid’s mother, Alice Andree (nee Brown) was born in Warwick.

They were at the same address in 1901 – the household then consisted of Rev Hensley, wife Alice, daughter Edith Gertrude (8) and Wilfred (6). They employed two servants.

By 1911, Wilfrid was 16 and was not listed on the census form at home as he was a boarder at Dean Close Memorial School in  Cheltenham.  At that time his father is listed as the vicar in the parish of Taynton, Oxfordshire.

Wilfred also attended Bath College and Emmanuel College, Cambridge.  Wilfrid is commemorated on Bath War Memorial as well as Bath College War Memorial.

Warwick Advertiser – Saturday 27th April 1918:

Warwick Advertiser – Saturday 6 July 1918

‘Wilfred Hensley. Captain Wilfred Hensley, West Yorkshire Regiment, only son of Rev H G Hensley formerly Vicar of St Paul’s Warwick and now Rector of Great Rissington, Gloucestershire is believed to have been killed. He was educated at Cambridge and joining a Public Schools battalion, received a commission after serving in the ranks. Captain Hensley, who was 23, had a delightful personality and his parents have received letters which show how much he was admired and trusted by his fellow officers and the men who served under him.’

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Rosalind Griffin writes – ‘For many years my sister and I have been caring for a grave in St Mary Magdalene churchyard in Lillington. The grave is for the Hensley family who lived in Warwick and then later came to live in Lillington.

On Henry Hensley’s retirement as Rector of Great Rissington in Gloucester, he moved back to this area and lived at 5 Vicarage Road, Leamington Spa.

After her parents deaths, Wilfred’s sister Edith lived alone at the house until her death in 1955. They were a musical family and Edith was very artistic.  Edith was buried in the family grave and Wilfrid is commemorated there.

Wilfred’s sister was a friend of my parents, and when she died, … in her will she asked that her family grave should be cared for and my sister and I have always done this.’