Pte 38824 Harold Austin Loughran

• Age: 29
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 8th September 1917
• Commemorated at: Torreken Farm
  Panel Ref: E.8

Harold Austin Loughran was born 25^th December 1888 at Liverpool and was baptised on 03^rd February 1889 at St Anne's Church, Overbury Street, Liverpool. He was the son of William Loughran and his wife Elizabeth (nee Swift), of 5 Durning Road, Edge Hill, Liverpool.

Harold was educated at Clint Road Council School, Edge Hill, he was admitted to the school on 27th April 1896.

On 1901 Census shows Harold,aged 12, living at 14 Nuttall Street, Kensington.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 5 Durning Road Liverpool. His mother, Elizabeth, is a widow aged 49, born 1862 no occupation and born in Lathom, Lancashire.  She had twelve children of which four had died, Lily Gertrude aged 27, born 1884 a lady clerk, Harold aged 22, born 1889 a clerk, James aged 14, born 1897 office boy, Margaret aged 14 born 1897 a dressmaker, Albert aged 11, born 1900 at school and Joseph aged 4, born 1907. The children were all born in Liverpool. She also has her nephew Robert Cowley aged 28, born 1883 and his wife Margaret aged 30, born 1881 living at the address who were both born in Skelmersdale.

He enlisted in Seaforth, Liverpool and originally served with the 1st Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment before he was transferred to the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 38824.

Harold was killed in action on the 08th September 1917, aged 29, during the Third Battle of Ypres.

He now rests at Torreken Farm Cemetery No1, Whytschaete, Belgium. His headstone bears the poignant epitaph:

"OUR LOSS IS GREAT, WE'LL NOT COMPLAIN BUT HOPE IN HEAVEN TO MEET AGAIN"

Wytschaete was taken by the Germans early in November 1914, and was recovered by Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917, but fell into German hands once more on 16 April 1918. The village was retaken for the last time on 28 September.  The cemetery, begun by the 5th Dorset Regiment in June 1917 and used as a front line cemetery until April 1918, contains 90 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 14 German war graves.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Elizabeth.

He was reported killed in Liverpool Daily Post 16th Oct 1917. 

Harold was awarded two medals, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal which shows that he did nit serve overseas until 1916. 

His elder brother L/Cpl James Hewitt Loughran served as 34014 with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was discharged and awarded a SWB.

Harold is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Clint Road Council School, Edge Hill, Liverpool

St Cyprian’s C. of E. Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool

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