Name
Harry Norris
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/03/1918
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
23538
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, Christ Church Memorial, Watford, Not on the Hatfield memorials, Not on the Berkhamsted memorials
Pre War
Son of Melina Jane (nee GUTHRIE) NORRIS of Watford, and the late Harry NORRIS.
His parents married 25 December 1878 at St Matthew’s, Stepney, London. Harry died 1914 in Watford aged 58, and was buried 1 August in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Melina died 1941 in Watford aged 86, and was buried 22 December in North Watford Cemetery.
Harry was born 31 January 1887 [sic] in Berkhamsted, Herts, and baptised 31 January 1887 [sic] at St Peter’s, Berkhamsted. He attended first Callow Land Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 22 January 1894 to 6 February 1899. He resided in Hatfield, Herts.
On the 1891 Census, aged 4 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 14 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, a labourer in a timber yard aged 24, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Ampthill, Beds; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action during an attack on the railway west of Albert.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Harry in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 27 April 1918; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 29 March 1919. Unfortunately, Harry’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
