Name
Harold David England
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
128560
Machine Gun Corps
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Harold England was one of three brothers from Abbots Langley that served in the Great War. His parents David and Sarah England had nine children, four sons and five daughters. David’s first wife, Elizabeth had died in 1902, having given birth to seven of the children, including Harold. David worked as a Gardener, and in the 1911 Census the family was recorded living at 62 Adrian Road, Abbots Langley.
Harold was born at Harrow Weald on 7th October 1897, and in 1911 he was still at school, but had a job as a Milk Boy.
The National Roll of The Great War publication explained that Harold volunteered in 1915, and after serving at various stations in England was drafted to France in February 1917. The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour first listed him in December 1916, serving with the 5th East Surrey’s. After taking part in the Battles of Arras, and Third Ypres he was sent to Palestine later in 1917, and served at the Battle of Gaza. The Abbots Langley Roll of Honour indicated that at some point in 1917 he transferred to the 5th Royal Sussex.
In 1918 Harold proceeded to India and assisted in the suppression of the Afghan risings. The Absent Voter Records of Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919 listed Harold serving with the Machine Gun Corps, and living at 64 Adrian Road. He returned home and was demobilised in December 1919.
Harold England survived the Great War, as did his brother Walter. However his other brother, Charles was killed in action in the Zonnebeke area close to Hill 60, near Ypres on 27th April 1915.
Additional Information
Formely 5th Battalion East Surrey Regiment & 5th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
