Name
Harold Richard Savel
9 May 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/05/1915
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles)
21st (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GUARDS CEMETERY, WINDY CORNER, CUINCHY
I. E. 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
MOST DEARLY LOVED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN BY HIS MOTHER
UK & Other Memorials
John Dickinson & Co Memorial, Apsley Mills, Apsley, Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials, Family grave, West Norwood Cemetery, Lambeth, London, Dulwich College Memorial, London,
Pre War
Harold Richard Savel was born on 9 May 1892 at Cranbourne, Stopford Road, Upton Manor, London, the eldest son of Richard and Edith Savel, and baptised on 26 June 1892 at All Saints, West Ham.
On the 1901 census the family were living at 383 Norwood Road, Lambeth, London, where his father was a retired railway traffic superintendent. His father died on 13 July 1904, age 53, at the "Bear and Key" Inn, Whitstable, Kent and probate was granted to his uncle William Savel with effects of £2231 17s 11d.
He went to Dulwich College in May 1905 and was a member of the 1st XV from 1909 to 1911. On the 1911 Census he was living with his widowed mother, siblings and servants at 34 Alleyn Park, Dulwich, SE London and attending school.
He then was employed at John Dickinson & Co., Apsley Mills, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
His mother married William Batten in 1912 and lived at of 88 Christchurch Road, Tulse Hill, SW London.
Wartime Service
In February 1914 he joined the Surrey Rifles Battalion of the London Regiment as a reservist. When war was declared Harold and the rest of his unit were mobilised and spent several months training at St Albans. He was promoted temporary Lieutenant in December and served in France from 15 March 1915.
His commanding officer wrote to his mother that "He had been selected to command the Grenadiers (Bomb Throwers) of his regiment, and has rendered most excellent service both in charge of them and in other respects. A gallant and capable officer."
Harold was killed at Givenchy, France on 25 May 1915 while leading his men in an assault against a German trench.
He is buried in the Guards' Cemetery, Givenchy, next to fellow officer Lt Hull of the same battalion who went to France with him and was killed the same day.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs Edith Batten, 53 South View Road, Shirley, Southampton, ordered his headstone inscription: "MOST DEARLY LOVED AND NEVER FORGOTTEN BY HIS MOTHER". His mother received his pay owing of £54 0s 6d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild. hemelatwar.org., dulwichcollege1914-18.co.uk
