Name
Harry Loveday
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/11/1917
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
TF/241598
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
1st/8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL
Panel 9
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Ashwell Village Memorial, St Mary’s Church Roll of Honour, Ashwell
Pre War
Harry Loveday was born in West Wickham, Cambridgeshire in 1893, the son of Simon and Alice Loveday (nee Mynott) and was baptised on 6 February 1893 at West Wickham. He was one of seven children, but two died in infancy.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire where his father was working as a horsekeeper on a farm. They had moved to Church Farm, Babraham, Cambridgeshire by 1911 at which time both Harry and his father were working as labourers on the farm. They later lived at Cold Harbour, near Ashwell.
He married Ethel Gladys Skerman on 10 November 1917 at Hertford Parish Church, Herts but sadly was reported as missing in action just 20 days later. Following his death Ethel gave her address as Swan House, Ashwell.
Wartime Service
Harry enlisted in Bedford on 8 March 1916 and joined the Duke of Cambridge's (Middlesex) Regiment, serving in France with the 1st/8th Battalion from 14 July 1916.
He suffered a gunshot wound to his lip on 11 September 1916 and once recovered he was returned to his unit on 22 September 1916.
Following leave in November 1917, when he returned home to get married, he returned to the front. He was initially posted as missing in action on 30 November 1917, although his death was not officially confirmed until 16 September 1918.
An article appeared in the Hertfordshire Express on 16 February 1918 stating that his wife had received news that Harry had been missing since 30 November. He had been in action for only six days after returning to France and it was thought by his friends that he may be a prisoner of war.
Harry has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louveral, France.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £7 10s and pay owing of £4 17s 3d. She also received a pension of 13s 9d a week.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners, Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, www.ashwellmuseum.org.uk
