Henry Keenan

Biography

Henry Keenan (or Kiernan) was born in Liverpool on the 24th March 1894 and baptised at Wavertree, St. Bridget’s Church. The family originally lived at 35 Alfred Street, Wavertree, Liverpool where they paid four shillings and sixpence rent.

In 1904 Henry’s mother Margaret Ann, at the age of 42, was admitted to Rainhills Asylum. It was said that her brain was affected after an attack of typhoid fever and there was no hope of improvement.

Henry’s father, James, worked as a stoker at Wavertree Gasworks but at the age of 63 had been pensioned off at ten shillings a week. Unable to cope he looked to others to take his children. Catherine, aged 12, and his only daughter was placed in a local home. James Robert aged 11, an invalid boy, was placed in a home at Southport. There was also a small child Laurence aged 4 whose destination is unknown.

In September of this year, and at the age of 10, Henry too was boarded out in Aughton, then a Home in Seaforth, then boarded out in Leicester, then the Home in Seaforth, then boarded out in Kendal, then St. Mark’s Home and then finally in January 1909 he was placed in service with Mr. Duckett at Birks Mansergh, Kirkby Lonsdale.

As Henry’s father was considered respectable and deserving but old and with less money there was a feeling of wanting to support him. However, although Henry had been mistreated in one home, having no mother and an old father meant he had much of his own way, he was disobedient and difficult to manage. The possibility of adoption had been considered but Henry was not deemed suitable. At a later stage Henry or Harry as he now sometimes called himself moved to Field Broughton where he was employed as a farm labourer and servant.

Service Record

At an unknown date he enlisted in the army as 25553 Fusilier Henry Keenan of the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

How They Died

He died on 23rd February 1919.

Where They Rest

He is buried at Mexborough. In the same grave is his brother James.