British War Medal
We don't know anything about Harold's family or early life.
During the First World War Harold served in the 11th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. He was given the service number 38055. This tells us that he joined the regiment in around August 1916. We don't know whether he was conscripted or able to volunteer. By this time it was not unusual for soldiers to be assigned to units with no connection to their local area.
The 11th Battalion took part in the fighting around Pozieres during late September 1916, and then went into reserve until November. We don't know when Harold joined them. They spent late 1916 and the first half of 1917 serving in the trenches in the Fransu area. They then moved north, to the area around Ypres in Belgium. They supported the attack on Messines Ridge on the 7th June 1917.
On the 16th August Harold and the 11th Battalion were in the first wave of the Battle of Langemarck. They attacked across the Steenbeek River and made an advance, but the Germans kept them under heavy fire. The 11th Battalion lost 77 men killed or missing. Harold was one of them.
After the war Harold's grave was found. He was moved to Poelcapelle British Cemetery near Ypres (now called Ieper) along with 1247 other men found on the surrounding battlefields. Harold's grave reference is L. F. 14.
Harold's medal was donated to the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in November 2001. As well as his British War Medal, Harold was also awarded the Allied Victory Medal for his Army service.
