Military History

Harold is listed as being killed in action on 10 Apr 1918. The 8th Battalion war diary entry for that day is transcribed below.

Wulvergham – 10 [April 1918]: Operations orders were issued at 3.am for the Bn to  move off to Aldershot Camp at 5.15am but about 4am news came through that the enemy was attacking on our front and Bttn was ordered to stand by awaiting further orders.

About 8.30am Brigade issued orders for two of our companies to move up at once and occupy the Corps front & support lines in front of Messines and A & B Coys moved to do so – B Front Line – A Support.

The enemy however had by this time occupied the eastern edge of Messines and these two Companies after making a good attempt to get through the village were obliged to occupy a line running N through the Hospice in U.2.a. C&D Coys meantime had moved up to occupy O G Front line in T.6.b and Battn HQ was established in dug out at T.6.c.4.6.

Situation on flanks was obscure and about 2pm C&D Coys moved up into line and positions from R to L was roughly C.A.B.D with centre on road at Hospice which situation remained the same throughout the night.

A S.A. [The South African] Brigade counter attacked Messines at about 7pm with success but was unable to hold on and withdrew to our line.

On the day the Battn suffered heavy casualties. Capt Meer & 2^nd Lt Lucas were killed & Lts Deane, Thopley, & Wake wounded & about 150 O.R. killed and wounded.