Cpl 16473 Harold Benjamin Osterfield

• Age: 22
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 28th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Savy Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: I.O.19

Harold Benjamin Osterfield was born in 1895 in Birkenhead and resided in Eastham. He was the youngest son of Benjamin and Mary Osterfield (nee Taylor), of 3, Park Cottages, Ferry Road, Eastham, Cheshire. His father was a canal labourer. He was baptised on 16th June 1895 in Eastham, Cheshire.

At the 1901 Census the family were living at Ferry Lane, Eastham. His father, Benjamin, is aged 56, and is a canal labourer who was born in Darrington, Yorkshire, and his mother, Mary, is aged 47 was born in Hockwold, Norfolk. At the taking of the Census they have six children living at the address, James W. 20 stoker on dredger b.Upton, William E. 14 errand boy b.Eastham, Francis J. 11 b.Eastham, Edward 8 b.Eastham, Harold B. 5 b.Eastham, and Agnes 1 b.Eastham.

His father died on the 03rd October 1902, aged 58.

His brother George who died on the 03rd August 1905, aged 28.

On the 1911 Census the family were living at Carlett Cottages, Ferry Lane, Eastham. His widowed mother, Mary, is aged 57, children Louisa 26 a domestic cook, William 24 a domestic gardener, Edward 18 a domestic gardener, Harold 13 a cowman on farm, and Olive(Agnes) 11 at school.

Harry as he was known to the family had 5 brothers; George who died in 1905, James, William Ewart, Francis John and Edward. He also had 4 sisters; Emily Mary, Helen, Louisa Ruth and Agnes. 

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02nd September 1914 as Private 16473 of the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He gave his age as 19 years and  114 days, occupation as a clerk. He was described on enlistment as being 5'7 inches tall, weighed 133lbs and chest 36", fresh complexion, dark hair and brown eyes.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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. 

His name featured in the Birkenhead News on the 10th October 1914:

EASTHAM

The "Boys" Who Have Answered The Call

...., H. Osterfield, ...

His service record survived and shows that he reached France on the 07th November 1915. 

In September 1916 he received a Good Conduct badge in recognition of two years service. He was wounded on 18/10/1916 by a gunshot wound to his left arm. Upon his return to the front he attended Lewis Gun school in February 1917. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 07/04/1917 before he became Corporal on 11/04/1917. He was wounded again on 31/07/1917 during the Passchendaele offensive by gunshot wounds, this time to his ear, part of which was blown away, his thigh and his right hand. He returned to the UK for treatment staying at hospitals in London and Blackpool. 

He returned to France in March 1918. He was killed in action, aged 23, during the German Spring Offensive. His death assumed for official purposes to be 28th March 1918.

The Battalion Diary gives an insight into the chaotic events of the day

28^th March

At about 6am the enemy commenced to shell heavily the whole of the forward line and brought Trench Mortars and MACHINE Guns into action.

FOLIES was shelled and the area in the rear of the village as far back as LE QUESNEL.

Rations were received at dawn and parties were organised to carry them to the Companies on the right. Owing to the heavy fire, however, it was not possible to get them up.

Heavy fighting was in progress on the right from soon after dawn and at 8am the enemy was reported to be in possession of BOUCHOIR and progressing towards the BEETROOT FACTORY. About 10am  the 59^th Infy Brigade was notified that it was relieved by the French and the Battalions of that Brigade were at once withdrawn in the direction of LE QUESNEL.

At noon the enemy was bombarding the village and vicinity heavily and reports were received that he was in occupation of WARVILLERS on the left and ARVILLERS on the right.

The front line East of FOLIES continued to resist until about 2pm when the order was received from the 89^th Infy Brigade to the effect that the Battalions were relieved by the French and would withdraw at once to MEZIERES, where the men would be fed. Companies withdrew under some shelling and very heavy M.G. and rifle fire from the left , through K10 -K3 – North side LE QUESNEL to the main ROYE road and reorganised about D.29 c. The march from this point was conducted in good order despite the congested roads.

At MEZIERES it was decided to continue a rearward movement and the march was resumed via VILLERS-MOREUIL – MORISEL – ROUVREL, which village was reached about 7pm and the Battalion billeted. The men had marched 13 miles from the left position in good order and with practically no straggling. They were exhausted on arrival at ROUVREL, but in good heart.

Echelon ‘A’ of the Transport joined the Battalion at this village and the men were fed immediately on arrival. The night passed without incident.  

Originally reported as Missing, Harry's mother posted a request for information in the Liverpool Echo in 1918.

His sister (Agnes) Olive contacted the International Red Cross but was informed in a reply of 30th May 1918 that they held no information. A later enquiry also received a negative response, on 24th September 1918.

It wasn't until August 1919 that his mother received a response from the Army stating that he was presumed killed. The records simply state "Died on or since 21 - 28 March".

Harry is also commemorated on the family headstone in St Mary’s Church, Eastham and on the Eastham War Memorial.

His mother died in November 1943 aged 90 sadly suffering further grief from the loss of two of her grandchildren during the Second World War. 

Harry's nephew Sergeant William Edward Osterfield, the only son of his brother William, was killed in action on 09th April 1941 with 7 Squadron of the RAF aged 19. He was shot down over Germany and now rests at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

Another nephew Trooper 7912649 Frank Osterfield (son of Francis) died of wounds in Normandy on 03rd August 1944, aged 29. He now rests at Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

Frank's brother Harold Osterfield of the Royal Signals was a POW in Germany. 

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