Name
Harry Cleal (MC)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/12/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Essex Regiment
'B' Coy. 11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Military Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RIBECOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
Sp. Mem. A. 45.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Abbots Langley Village Memorial, St. Lawrence Church Memorial, Abbots Langley
Biography
Harry Cleal had a relatively short association with Abbots Langley. He was born in the autumn of 1890 at Kennford in Devon the youngest of four children born to Thomas and Louisa Cleal. In the 1911 Census he was employed as a Footman at Peamore House near Exeter. At some point after 1911 Harry moved to London and was employed by the Prudential Insurance Company.
He enlisted early in the Great War as a Private with the 11th Battalion of the Essex Regiment, and at some point was promoted through the ranks to Second Lieutenant. His Medal Record recorded that he embarked for France on 31st July 1916. His association with Abbots Langley was through his marriage to Alice Dunn, the daughter of a Cab Proprietor from Adrian Road. The couple were married on 5th July 1917, and lived at 27 Adrian Road.
On the night of 7th December 1917 he led a patrol that captured an enemy machine gun, near Flesquieres in France. He was recommended for a Military Cross for this action, but before this was confirmed he was killed three days later on 10th December, when he was hit by a stray shell.
Harry Cleal’s death was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine in January 1918
“We also deeply regret to record the death of Lieut Harry Cleal, which occurred on December 10th. Although he did not actually belong to this Parish, he was very closely connected with it, and was well known and loved by many in it. His name has been upon our Roll of Honour for some time past. He volunteered at the outbreak of war, and this year received a commission in the Essex Regiment. As recently as July last he was married to Miss Alice Dunn in Abbots Langley Church, where he was a regular worshipper and communicant when in the Parish. We offer Mrs Cleal our sincerest sympathy, and pray that God may grant her His comfort. His C.O writes of Lieut Cleal ‘He was walking down to the Battalion Headquarters to see about new quarters for his Company, when he was hit by a piece of shell and killed instantly ... His sad death has come as a great blow to all of us, and his loss is felt by all ranks. I had decided to promote him Captain as soon as I got an opportunity. I was only talking to the General about him yesterday, and now the poor boy has gone...Please remember in your great trouble that your husband has died like an officer and a man’”.
The following month the Magazine reported:
“We are very glad to note that the Military Cross has been conferred upon Lieut Harry Cleal, whose death we recorded last month.”
Harry Cleal was buried at Ribecourt British Cemetery in France, and was commemorated on the Abbots Langley War Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
