Second Lieutenant Henry Tennant 52 Squadron RFC, late of the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) was born in London on the 29th of April 1896 the son of the Rt Hon Harold John Tennant MP, (1865 to 1935) Under Secretary for War and Director of Women’s National Service, and of Margaret Mary Edith Abraham (1869 to 1946) of Great Maytham, Rolvenden, Kent. 

The 1901 census find the family at 33, Bruton Street, London. Harold aged 35 born at The Glen, Innerleithen was a retired superintending inspector of factories. Margaret Edith born in Dublin was aged 30. Children recorded are Henry aged 3 and John aged 1, both born in London. The family had ten servants.

The 1911 census records him with his family at Great Maytham, Rolvenden. Harold aged married fourteen years and have produced four children all still alive. Harold is recorded as Parliamentary secretary Board of Trade. Additions to the family are Alison aged 7 and Archibald aged 3, both born at Hutton Castle, Berwickshire. There are eleven servants.

Just after his eighteenth birthday he enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) early in November 1915 before transferring to the RFC. He trained with the 17th Reserve Squadron.

In May 1916 he was badly injured when his plane stalled and dived seventy feet to the ground. Tennant suffered broken bones, a fractured wrist and ankle, severely lacerated his right cheek, numerous cuts and bruises, impairment of vision, and suffered "severe shock". He required medical treatment for well over six months.

He died from injuries received when Royal Aircraft Factory RE8 No. A3491 suffered engine failure shortly after take-off, on the 27th of May 1917. Second Lieutenant Sydney Coates also died in the resulting crash and fire. Both were age 19, and both buried at La Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, Peronne, France.

Flight magazine, for the 21st of June 1917 reports that

"A memorial service was held on June 13th at St. Margaret's, Westminster, conducted by Canon Carnegie, and at which the Archbishop of Canterbury assisted, for Lieutenant Henry Tennant, Scots Greys and R.F.C., son of Mr. H.J. Tennant, M.P., formerly Under-Secretary of State for War, and subsequently Secretary for Scotland in Mr. Asquith's Government, who died from wounds received in action on May 27th. The R.F.C. and the Scots Greys were represented by detachments of officers and men, and at the conclusion of the services trumpeters of the Scots Greys sounded the Last Post."

His probate records his address as 33, Bruton Street, Middlesex and that his estate of £160-3s be administered to his father.

He is remembered in Rolvenden (St Mary) church along side his Battle Cross, his grave marker from France. The tablet reads

“In loving memory of Henry Tennant younger son of Edinglassie born June 9th 1897. An officer of great skill and promise whose daring modesty unselfishness and patience in suffering won him the affection of all who knew him. Killed in the service of his country flying in France May 27th 1917. This tablet was erected in Thankfulness for his example”.