Pte 15855 Henry James Harrald

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 10th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Bernafay Wood Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: D.4

Henry James Harrald was born on the 14th June, 1896 in Liverpool, and baptised on the 26th July, 1896 at St Paul’s Princes Park, Liverpool. He was the son of William Harrald and Elizabeth (Nee Barnes). His parents were married on the 16th April, 1881 at St James’ Toxteth, Liverpool.

On the 1901 Census the family are living at 30 Clevedon Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. His father, William, is 41 years of age and an iron ship builder born in Ireland, his mother, Elizabeth, is 39 years of age, born in Aigburth, Liverpool. Her children, all born in Liverpool are listed as; Elizabeth 19, John A. 19 a cafe worker, Dora I. 16, Florence 9, Edith E. 6, and Henry J. 4.

His father, William, joined the Freemasons in 1903 at Hamer Lodge.

On the 1911 Census the family have moved to 45 Allington Street, Liverpool. His father William 51 a boilermaker for a shipbuilder born in Antrim,Ireland, his mother Elizabeth is 49. They advise that they have been married for 30 years and have had 8 children born, 7 of whom have survived). They have five children still iving at home and are listed as; John Arthur 29 accountant for Liverpool Council, Dora Isabel 26 schoolteacher for Liverpool Education, Florence 19 telephone operator for National Tel. Co, Edith Emily 16 student, and Henry James 14 student.

It is highly likely that the family knew two other Pals casualties; Edward and John Hankin who lived at 23 Allington Street.

The Liverpool Echo of 03rd August 1914 shows that his sister Dora married in Vancouver.

GRANTHAM-HARRALD - August 1, at Vancouver, Douglas C. Grantham, Canadian Civil Service, Vancouver, to Doris I. Harrald, both of Liverpool. (By cable.)

Henry joined the 17th Battalion of the King’s Liverpool Regiment at St George's Hall on 31st August, 1914 as Private 15855 aged 19 years and 2 months. He was previously a Clerk (with Union Marine Insurance Company of Dale Street) and was 5’5½” tall weighed 114lbs with a 34” chest, he had sallow complexion, brown eyes and hair and his religion was Church of England.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915

His service records show he was granted Special Leave to England between 19th April and 25th April 1916 presumably to attend his father's funeral as he had been killed by a fall on the steamer Aquarius on April 14, 1916.

Henry James was killed in action, aged 20, on 10th July, 1916 during the fighting for Trones Wood. He was originally posted as Missing which prompted his anxious paernts to place a request for information in the Liverpool Echo on 03rd August 1916.

"Private H.J.Harrald,of the "Pals," is offically reported as missing since the 12th July, and is believed to have been wounded. Any information would gladly be received by his relatives, who reside at 4,Belgrave-road,Liverpool. Private Harrald was employed by the Union Marine Insurance Company,Dale-street. His "chum," Private W.Lenthall, of 5, Chetwynd-street, is also reported missing". 

The murderous fighting that went on inside Trones Wood rendered it impossible to put specific dates on some of the casualties which is why many of the 17^th Battalion losses have been bracketed as killed in action between 10^th – 12th July 1916.

The conditions are best described in the following passage from Everard Wyrall’s book The History of The King’s Regiment (Liverpool) Volume II:

The remembrance of Trones Wood in July 1916 to those who passed through it is of a noisome, horrible place, of a tangled mass of trees and undergrowth which had been tossed and flung about in frightful confusion by the shells of both sides. Of the ghastly dead which lay about in all directions, and of DEATH, lurking in every hole and corner with greedy hands ready to snatch the lives of the unwary. The place was Death trap, and although the attacks were made with great determination,   the presence of snipers who could not be detected and often fired into the backs of our men made the clearing of the wood impossible.

Henry now rests at Bernafay Wood British Cemetery where his headstone bears the inscription:

"HIS GIFT"

Montauban village was taken by the 30th and 18th Divisions on 1 July 1916 and it remained in Commonwealth hands until the end of March 1918. It was retaken on 25 August 1918 by the 7th Buffs and the 11th Royal Fusiliers of the 18th Division. The Bois De Bernafay is a pear-shaped wood close to the east end of Montauban village. It was taken on 3 and 4 July 1916 by the 9th (Scottish) Division. On 25 March 1918, in the retreat to the Ancre, the same Division was driven from the wood but recaptured it for a time. On 27 August 1918 it was finally regained by the 18th Division. The cemetery was begun by a dressing station in August 1916 and used as a front-line cemetery until the following April. It contained at the Armistice 284 burials but was then increased when graves were brought in from Bernafay Wood North Cemetery and from the battlefields immediately east of the wood. BERNAFAY WOOD NORTH CEMETERY was opposite the North edge of the wood, a little East of the Longueval - Maricourt road. It was begun by an Advanced Dressing Station, and used from July to October 1916. It contained the graves of 80 soldiers from the United Kingdom and 1 German prisoner. Bernafay Wood British Cemetery now contains 945 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 417 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 11 soldiers known or believed to be buried here. Other special memorials commemorate 12 soldiers buried in Bernafay Wood North Cemetery whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

Hiarold was reported as Missing in the Liverpool Echo on 03rd August 1916:

HARRALD - Private H. J. Harrald of the "Pals" is officially reported as missing since 12th July, and is believed to have been wounded. Any information would gladly be received by his relatives who reside at 4 Belgrave Road, Liverpool. Private Harrald was employed by the Union Marine Insurance Company, Dale Street. His "chum," Private W. Lenthall of 5 Chetwynd Street is also reported missing.

His father's death was remembered in the Liverpool Echo on 14th April 1917:

HARRALD - In loving memory of William, the dearly beloved husband of Elizabeth Harrald, killed by a fall on the steamer Aquarius, April 14, 1916. - Sadly missed by Wife and family. 

It wasn't until June 1917 that the family finally received confirmation of Henry's death, news of which featured in the Liverpool Echo on 14th June 1917:

HARRALD - In loving memory of Henry James Harrald, presumed to have been killed July 12, 1916. (Sadly missed, but remembered with pride by his Mother, Sisters, and Brothers,) - 4 Belgrave Road, Liverpool.

HARRALD - In treasured memory of our Harry (1st Pals), reported wounded and missing, later presumed killed in action July 12, 1916. (Ever remembered by Rands and George.)

Probate records for Henry James dated 12th June 1917 shows: Admin to Elizabeth Harrald – Widow – Effects £129.10.11d

The family posted notices on the first two anniversaries of Henry's death:

Liverpool Daily Post 12th July 1917: 

HARRALD - In loving memory of Henry James Harrald (born June 14, 1896), missing after engagement June(sic) 10-12, 1916, and now presumed by the War Office to have been killed. (Lovingly remembered especially on this the 21st anniversary of his birthday, by his Mother, Brothers and Sisters.) 4 Belgrave Road, Liverpool.

Liverpool Echo 12th July 1918:

HARRALD - In loving memory of my dear son, HARRY, reported missing after engagement July 10-12, 1916. - Sorely missed by his Mother, 4 Belgrave Road, Liverpool.

HARRALD - In treasured memory of our chum, HARRY (1st Pals), reported wounded and missing, later presumed killed in action, July 12, 1916. - Ever remembered by Rands and George.

The Next of Kin form dated 02nd May1919 shows that his father William had died 14th April 1916 and his mother Elizabeth and sisters Florence and Emily were residing at 4 Belgrave Road. His brother William was at 94 Swan Bank, Wolverhampton and John A was at 63 Colbrooke Road, Liverpool. His Sister Elizabeth Williams was at 197 Walton Village and Dora I was at 1120 26 Avenue East, Vancouver, B.C.

Henry James is commemorated on the following Memorials

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 57

Liverpool Institute 

St Michael In the Hamlet Church

St Michael In the Hamlet C. of E. School

His mother died in the March quarter of 1946, aged 84. 

We currently have no further information on Henry James Harrald. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.