Pte 17842 Harold Hunt

Pte 17842 Harold HUNT, 19th Battalion KLR.

Born in 1884, Harold was the second son of Joseph, born 1842, a waiter and and his second wife Fanny (nee Woods) born 1861.

Joseph married his first wife, Ellen Harrison, in the June quarter of 1865 and they had five children together. James in 1866, Ada Amy in 1867, Frederick Charles in 1870, Lucy Ellen in 1873, and Clara Maud in 1875. Mother Ellen died in 1875 at the age of 29, probably having Clara.

On 8th November 1880, at St Emanuel’s Church, Liverpool, Joseph married Fanny Woods, some 20 years younger than him. Joseph was born in Swindon, Wiltshire and his wife in Bridgwater, Somerset. Harold was their second child and the elder of their two sons. They were to have 10 children, 4 of whom died at an early age. 

In 1891 the family lived at 55 Redrock Street, Everton. Harold is 6 years of age and lives with his parents and five siblings. His father is a 49 year old hotel waiter, whilst his mother is 30 years of age. His siblings are recorded as Frederick C. aged 20 and employed as a clerk in the fruit trade, Florence aged 10, Mabel aged 8, Agnes aged 4 and Louise aged 1. Also present is Harold's grandmother Mary A. Woods a 49 year old widow born in Somerset and living on her own means.

By 1901 the family had moved to 102 Spencer Street, Everton, Harold is now aged 16 is employed as a cabinet maker’s clerk, he lives with his parents, his grandmother and four siblings. His siblings are listed as Mabel aged 18 and a tobacco packer, Louise aged 11, Joseph E. aged 8, and Doris E. aged 2.  

In 1911 the family lived at 38 September Road, Liverpool. Harold is now aged 26 and a book-keeper, he lives with both parents. His father now aged 70 is recorded as a Restaurant waiter. His parents state that they have been married for 31 years and have had ten children of whom 6 have survived. His siblings listed at the property are; Louise aged 21, Joseph Edgar aged 18  is a “law clerk”., and Doris Evelyn is aged 12. 

On 01st September 1914 at Liverpool, Harold enlisted in the 22nd Reserve Battalion KLR, giving his age as 29 years 300 days, his occupation as clerk at the Ogden branch of Imperial American Tobacco and stating that he had served 3 years in the 1st Liverpool Volunteers. He was described as being 5 ft 3“inches tall, weighing 131 lbs with a 33 inch chest,  a fair complexion, light blue eyes and brown hair.  He stated his religion as Church of England.

On 5th October 1915 he was posted to the 19th Battalion rom the 22nd Reserve Battalion and embarked for France on 07th November 1915.

He was reported missing in action at Trones Wood on 11th July 1916 and this was eventually the date presumed for his death. 

He was reported as Misisng in the Liverpool Echo on 13th September 1916, the report also contained an appeal for information from his family:

Pte.Harold Hunt,K.L.R., is reported as missing since July 11,1916. He was formerly employed as clerk at the Ogden branch of the Imperial Tobacco Company. Any information respecting him will be gladly recieved by his parents at 38 September road, Anfield. 

The murderous fighting that went on inside Trones Wood rendered it impossible to put specific dates on some of the casualties. 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 a 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. 

It wasn't until 1917 that his death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post 11th July 1917:

HUNT - Previously reported missing, now reported killed (presumed) July 11, 1916, aged 32 years, Private Harold Hunt (17842 19th Pals, K.L.R), the dearly loved son of F. and J. Hunt, 38 September Road, Anfield.

Friends may think that we forgot you
When at times we're apt to smile;
Little they know what grief is hidden
Beneath the surface all the while.

His sorrowing Sister and Brother-in-law Flo and Dave, Waddicar Lane, Melling.

HUNT - Previously reported missing, now reported killed (presumed) July 11, 1916, aged 32 years, Private Harold Hunt, K.L.R. Pals, the dearly beloved son of F. and J. Hunt, 38 September Road, Anfield. 

Thank God, although our eyes with tears are dim
And sad our life and grey.
That howsoe'er the battle went, for him
'Twas victory that day !
With armour buckled on and flag unfurled,
The heights of death he trod;
Translated from the warfare of the world
Into the peace of God.

Deeply mourned by Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother Ted (in India).

Harold has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

 

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Fanny

He earned the three medals and in December 1920 his father wrote to Army Records in Preston to say that he had still not received Harold’s memorial plaque which had allegedly been sent on 22nd May 1920.

When submitting the sworn declaration in respect of relatives after Harold’s death, his father declared that Harold had one brother, Joseph E., aged 26 and serving in the 1st Garrison Battalion Manchester Regiment in Hong Kong, and four sisters, three of whom were married. He also had 2 half-brothers, ie born to Joseph and his first wife, namely James, aged 53 years, living in Crete Street, Liverpool and Frederick, 48 years, living at 10 Eastlake Street, Everton; and a half-sister, Ada, 52 years, living at 244 Rathbone Road, Liverpool.

His brother, Joseph Edgar Hunt, enlisted in the 1st Manchesters on 3rd November 1915, serving mainly in China and India and being demobilised on 6th November 1919.

His father died in the September quarter of 1925 aged 83.

His mother died in the December quarter of 1934 aged 74.