Henry Shrapnel - the man behind the anti-personal weapon

The lethal projectiles contained small lead shot, along with an explosive charge to scatter the shot and casing. The charge was on a time fuse so it would explode with devastating effect near opposing troops.

Henry Shrapnel was born at Midway Manor near Bradford-on-Avon. The family had become wealthy from the woolen industry.

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In 1784, Henry was a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. He perfected, using his own money, the invention of what he called “spherical case ammunition,” a hollow cannon ball filled with shot which burst in mid-air.

He successfully demonstrated this anti-personnel weapon in 1787 at Gibraltar.

In 1803, the British Army finally adopted a similar but elongated explosive shell. It immediately acquired the inventor’s name - the Shrapnel shell. Since then, the term ‘shrapnel’ has been applied to fragmentation from artillery shells in general and fragmentation in general ever since.

The Duke of Wellington used the shells during the Peninsular War fought from 1808 - 1814 against Napoleon’s troops in Spain and Portugal. According to Sir George Wood, commander of the brigade of artillery at Waterloo, its use was crucial in the British recapture of La Haye Sainte farmhouse. Until the end of World War I, the shells were still manufactured mainly according to Shrapnel’s original principles.

Shrapnel was promoted to major on 1 November 1803 after eight years as a captain. After his invention’s success in battle at Fort New Amsterdam in April 1804, Shrapnel was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1804, to Colonel in 1813 and to Regimental Colonel a year later.

In 1814, the British Government recognized Shrapnel’s contribution by awarding him £1200, (about £122,000 today) a year for life. However, he did not seem to actually receive the full financial benefit of this award.

He left the military in 1825 a disgruntled man feeling he deserved more recognition. Henry made progress on the retired list and was appointed to the office of Colonel-Commandant, Royal Artillery, in 1827 and rose to the rank of lieutenant-general in 1837.

In his late 60’s Shrapnel retired to Southampton in the 1830s at the end of the Spa Town era when it was still a fashionable town. He first lived in Bugle Street and then at Peartree House, near Peartree Green for the last seven years of his life.

He died there in March 1842, aged 80.

He is buried in the family vault in Holy Trinity Church, Bradford on Avon. On the stone piers of the gateway leading to the family home of Midway Manor are Shrapnel shells and the names of 7 battles, including Waterloo, said to have been won with use of the shell.

Peartree House was built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, probably between 1590 and 1600. Its builder and owner was Frances Mylles, M.P. for Winchester from 1588 to 1593. He was also the tenant of Bitterne Manor, owned by the Bishop of Winchester, from whom Mylles obtained consent to use stone from the Roman settlement at Clausentum.

Frances Mylles’ daughter was married to Captain Richard Smith, who lived in Peartree House in 1617. He was responsible for the building of nearby Jesus Chapel on Peartree Green. In 1620, this was the first Anglican church to be built in England following the Anglican Reformation of the previous century.

During the early 19th century, Peartree House was extended and the castellated facade was added.

In the 1930s, the land around the house was sold off for

development. Southampton Corporation bought the house in 1949, for use as a home for the elderly.

Today the Grade 2 listed Peartree House in Peartree Avenue is a rehabilitation centre. It provides long-term care for those with neurological conditions.

In 1939, the South Western Hotel became the Centre of Combined Operations. It played a vital role in Operation Neptune, the naval phase of D Day and was named H.M.S. Shrapnel.

Martin Brisland is a tour guide with SeeSouthampton.co.uk .