| Date of birth: | 1885 |
| Place of birth: | Newbury, Berkshire |
| Date of birth: | 1913 |
| Place of birth: | Southampton |
| Service No.: | 31629 |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment / Division: | Royal Hampshire Regiment |
| Battalion: | 15th (Service) Battalion |
| Died: | 8th June 1917 aged 33 years |
| Death location: | France |
Life before the War
Louis was born in 1884 to Edwin (b.1857 – d.1929) and Bessie Heath, nee Bevis (b.1860 – d.1952). His parents were married in Fareham, Hampshire in 1880. Edwin was one of 4 children but the 1911 Census shows that his 3 siblings had died.
On the 1891 census Louis is living with his parents at 85 The Chase, Bishops Waltham, Droxford. A visitor at the house is his Aunt Hilda, sister of his mother. Louis’ father is a Miller.
The 1901 census shows the family is living at 50 Station Road, Billingshurst, Sussex and Louis is employed as a Butcher.
On the 1911 census Louis is still in the same employment and the family are living at 30 Newbury Terrace, Lower Bullar Street, Southampton. There is a Wilfrid Heath, aged 2, recorded as a visitor, but as the birth records do not show the mother’s maiden name it cannot be confirmed how he is related to Louis.
Louis married Beatrice Eliza Wingham (b.1880 – d.1954), in Southampton in 1913. When Louis died they were living at 35 Chaplin Street, Highfield, Southampton. They had a son Ronald George W Heath (b.14/01/1914 – d.1970), who married Primrose L Chick in Barnstable, North Devon in 1947. Their son, Richard G W, was born in Barnstaple in 1948.
Military History
Louis enlisted as a Private in the Hampshire Regiment in Southampton. When he died he was serving in the 15th (Service) Battalion of this Regiment. This was formed in Portsmouth on 5th April 1915 and, as part of the 41st Division, landed in France in May 1916.
Louis died on 8th June 1917 from wounds received whilst serving in Belgium. The 41st Division were involved in The Battle of Messines which took place 7th to 14th June 1917 so it is possible that Louis was wounded during this battle.
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals
He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Grave Reference XV. J. 9.
The cemetery is located 12 Kms west of Ieper town centre and contains 9901 casualties, of which 24 are unidentified.
| Researcher: | Jackie Chandler |
| Published.: | 30th June 2014 |
| Updated: | Insert dates here |
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