Military History

Harry is listed as being killed in action on 26th October 1917. The 4th Battalion war diary entries for the 25th and 26th October are transcribed below.

near Passchendaele - 25.10.1917: On Oct. 25^th the Battalion in the line had their first opportunity of seeing their front and objectives. The weather having cleared, the men had a chance to dry out. Operation Order of the 8^th C.I.B was received this night for the attack the following morning. The Battalion issued its Operation Order, copy of which is appended. Rations were late in arriving but no water arrived in time for the attack.

near Passchendaele - 26.10.1917: Zero hour was set for 5.40 a.m. The Battalion was assembled in front and in rear of the original line by 5.45am, in the following order: -

"D" Co., under Capt. Muirhead, on  Right Front
"C" Co., " Lieut. Nesbitt, on Left Front
"A" Co., " Major Scott, on Right Support
"B" Co., " Major Hart, on Left Support

with each company advancing with one platoon extended as a screen and the other two platoons in a rough column of sections.

At Zero hour the barrage was laid down sharp on time but was erratic and not uniform, causing a number of casualties in our left leading company. Simultaneously with the barrage, a heavy rain commenced to fall, which greatly enhanced the difficult conditions of the ground.

At Zero hour the enemy opened a light barrage on our front lines and supports and a heavy machine gun fire on the front. Four officers and a number of other ranks became casualties almost at the outset.

The leading waves suffered severely from Rifle and machine gun fire but after desperate fighting, secured the first line of "pill boxes" (D.4.b. and d.).

Then developed a hard fight for the Wallenmonen - Bellevie line of "pill boxes" fought for the WALLERSON - with two Vickers Machine Gun teams. The supporting companies with two Vickers Machine Gun teams, pushed forward and our Intermediate Objective was reached sharp on time. At this point it was found that the Battalions on both our flanks had been held up, exposing us to devastating fire from enemy "pill boxes" on both our flanks, especially on our right. One company of the Royal Naval Division on our left side-slipped behind our left Coys, thus leaving their own objective "pill boxes" unengaged. This Coy later assisted in the consolidation and junction on left and then rejoined their unit.

One company of the 1st C.M.R. Bn. moved into the front line when it was vacated by our troops at Zero.

Portions of two platoons of our Battalion penetrated as Woodland Copse (D.4.b.0.8) but were so exposed to enemy fire and so reduced by casualties that it was found necessary to withdraw. The battalion, after many fine efforts to gain a footing in spite of enfilade fire it was exposed to, was forced to commence consolidation on the high ground in the immediate vicinity of our intermediate objective, (D.4.b.50.95 to D.4.b.6.2 to D.4.d.55.10). The enemy here made desperate efforts to dislodge and prevent us from consolidating on the this ridge. He opened a heavy barrage on the position, which gradually died down and the position was made good at approximately 11.00am.

A deep continuous trench was successfully laid, and the reaction with our guns was successfully laid, junction was made further to junctions being made with our flanks. Major Hart, commanding "B" Coy, reported to Brigade HQ that it was impossible to advance further without reinforcements. Coy was without officers, five officers only of the sixteen who entered the action remaining and a large portion of the NCO’s had become casualties. One of the Vickers Machine Guns attached to us had also been put out of action.

Lt. A Clarke and Lt. L.G. Mills were sent forward to report on the situation. They carried orders from Lt. Col. Patterson to the company of the 1^st C.M.R to send forward two platoons to assist in consolidating. Lt. Mills reported that the full Coy moved forward. Lt Clarke reported that we were holding from D.4.a.50.95 to D.4.b.6.2 to D.4.b.55.10, a position which could be consolidated. The location of the right flank was somewhat obscure as the 43^rd Battalion had met with a serious check. The Commanding Officer sent orders through Lt. Mills to consolidate and move forward if the flanks moved with us.

At 2pm the 52^nd Brigade passing through the 43^rd Battalion developed an attack on our right flank and succeeded in dislodging the enemy from the Pill Boxes which had been causing us serious losses, and this position was made good. When this action was completed, a junction of our right flank with the 52nd Bn. was made at (N.4.d.55.10).

About 2.00 P.M., two companies of the 1st C.M.R. Bn. moved into position in our original front support trenches and four companies of the 9th M.G. Coy. under the three companies of our new position. At 8.00 P.M., by three companies of the 2nd C.M.R. Bn. were relieved shelling and harassing fire. The 2nd C.M.R. Bn. scattered and night but through the splendid efforts of the day and night, Capt. F.H. Davis, and the Stretcher Bearers, our ground was cleared of the wounded.

Although several counter attacks were attempted during the day, none of which were permitted to develop, our patrols which were sent out during the night, our patrols succeeded in taking an enemy in advance of our outposts.