Name
Harry Sidney Primett (MM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/01/1919
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sapper
69270
Royal Engineers
35th Divisional Signal Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY
V. F. 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Town Hall Memorial, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Harry was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in November 1886, the son of Harry Primett (GNR Engine Fireman) and Isabella Primett (nee Muirhead). Eldest of 10 children, one child died in infancy.
He was baptised on the 5th February 1891, at Holy Saviours Church, Hitchin, Herts.
1891 Census records Harry aged 4, living with his parents and sister Hilda 1, at 64 Nightingale Road, Hitchin, Herts.
Harry attended Saint Saviours school in Hitchin, transferring to St Mary’s National School, Hitchin, Herts, in May 1894.
By 1901 now aged 14 Harry had left school and was working as a Railway Station Bookshop Boy, living with his parents, sister Hilda 11, Maud 6, brothers Victor 9 and Frederick 1, in Lancaster Road, Hitchin, Herts.
1911 Census records Harry aged 24, now working in Newmarket as a Cycle Machinist and lodging at Canary Cottages, Park Lane, Newmarket, Cambs.
Harry married Elanor Sarah Brighton (b 6/10/1881)the daughter of George and Charlotte Brighton of Newmarket. In October 1911. They had two children, Honor
Isabel (b 26/3/1913) and Frederick James (b 16/11/1918).
Before he enlisted he worked as a woodwork machinist in Letchworth.
Wartime Service
It is not known when or where Harry enlisted as his record were destroyed when the Records Office in London was bombed in 1942. What is known is he enlisted in Royal Engineers with the service number 69270 and posted to the 35th Divisional Signals Company of the Royal Engineers.
Harry was awarded the “Military Medal” for Gallantry in the field. This was confirmed by records held at the National Archives, Kew, London. At this time the Citation for his award in the “London Gazette” has not yet been found.
Harry died on the 26th January 1919. He is not mentioned in the “Soldiers Died in the Great War” database possible because he died after the end of the war. He died of wounds in the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital in France and was buried in the CWGC Longuenesse, (ST. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave Ref Plot 5. Row F. Grave 5.
As well as his Military Medal Harry was awarded the British War Medal & Victory Medal
Additional Information
After his death £5 15s 7d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow, Eleanor (Ellen), on 22 July 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £5 was authorised to be paid to her/him on 7 November 1919.
His pension cards record Ellen Sarah as his widow and next of kin/dependant, living at 9 Bethell Lane, Hitchin. It also records their two children Honor Isabel (b 26/3/1913) and Frederick James (b 16/11/1918). She was awarded a pension of 25s 5d a week from 11 August 1919 for her and the children.
He was the brother of Frederick James Primett who died on the 19th September 1918. His other brother Victor survived the war.
There is another version of this biography at "here" but some information has been added here.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild, Stuart Osborne
