Name
Harold Pearce
19 Apr 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/05/1915
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15630
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 31 and 33.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden, Not on the Batford memorials
Pre War
Harold was born on 19 Apr 1897 in Batford Mills, (believed to be in Batford) Harpenden to Joseph Pearce, a bricklayer, and Mary Anne (nee Hilliard).
The family later lived at 42 Coleswood Road, Harpenden.
Wartime Service
Harold enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 15630. He went to France on 9 Apr 1915 and may have joined the 1st Battalion at Ypres on 24 April in a draft of replacements. The Battalion were in positions at Hill 60 Ypres. On 5 May 1915 the Battalion, in the front line, were subjected to a gas attack and in fierce fighting all that day.
Harold is recorded as being killed during this action. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £3 10s 9d paid to father.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
