Cpl 15678 Harold Symonds

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 8th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

Harold Symonds was born on 02nd February 1895 in Liverpool and was the son of George and Annie Symonds (nee Carr), of 21, Moss Grove, Liverpool, who had married at St Mary's Church, Edge-Hill, Liverpool in 1885. 

On the 1901 Census the family are living at 29 Exe St, Toxteth.

The father George is aged aged 40, born 1861 in Birkenhead and is employed as an engine fitter. His wife Annie is aged 35 born 1866 in Liverpool,and has no occupation listed. They have four children all born in Liverpool, Annie aged 13, born 1888, Maggie aged 12, born 1889, John George. aged 9, born 1892 and Harold aged 6, born 1895

The 1911 Census show the family still living at 29 Exe St.

The father George aged 52 is still employed as an engine fitte and his wife Annie is aged 46 with no occupation listed. They have been married for 25 years and have had  six children, of which one had died.Four of their children are still living at the home address, Annie 23, employed as a  dressmaker, John George 19 is an apprentice engine fitter, Harold aged 16 is a boy clerk at a paper makers and William is aged 9.

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02nd September 1914 joining the 17^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private 15678. He was aged 19 years and 200 days, and gave his occupation as a clerk, he was 5' 8 1/2", weighed 135lbs, chest 36", fair complexion, light brown eyes, brown hair, and gave his religion as Church of England. His father George, of 21 Moss Grove Lodge, Liverpool., was his Next of Kin.

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.

5th Dec 1914 - appointed unpaid L/Cpl.

29th Dec 1914 - promoted Cpl.

7th Nov 1915 - embarked France

4th March 1916 - severely reprimanded in the field for neglect of duty

2-11 June 1916 - granted leave in the field

10-12 July 1916 - wounded to F.A. He suffered a Gun Shot Wound to the head on 12th July 1916 during the fighting at Trones Wood,

he was transferred back to UK on HMS Cambrai.

7th April 1918 - Embarked for Boulogne and posted 1/KLR

11th April 1918 - posted 17/KLR and then D Coy

He was serving in the 17^th Battalion as Corporal 15678 when he was killed in action on the 8^th May 1918 aged 23 during the German Spring Offensive.

The 17th Battalion were at this time in the Vierstraat Sector. the diary reports that the day passed quietly until the afternoon. The front line ran through Klein Vierstraat Cabaret. At 4.30 pm it was reported that the Germans had advanced and were now in " our original front line". At 7.10 pm A and B company's of the 17th Battalion were ordered to move forward in artillery formation from support line with object of co-operating with French troops who were advancing towards the enemy. At 08.10 pm the advance was reported to be going well on the left but nothing could be seen on the right. The situation at the end of the day was that the 17th Battalion were holding the line alongside several other units but casualties were heavy. Captain Norman Henry and Second Lieutenant Dudley Hammond Black were killed in action alongside 17 other ranks one of whom was Harold Symonds. 

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

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 28th May 1918:

SYMONDS -  May 8th, killed in action, age 23 years, Corporal H. Symonds, K.L.R., the dearly beloved second son of George and Annie Symonds, 21 Moss Grove (sadly missed)

Corporal Harold Symonds, killed in action,was the son of Mr.and Mrs.Symonds,21,Moss grove. Educated at St.Clement's and Liverpool Institute. Formerly with Ridgways Limited, Bute street. 

Harold is commemorated on the Memorial at Liverpool Institute now situated at L.I.P.A. Mount Street, Liverpool.  

Soldiers Effects to his brother William and Pension to mother Annie.

His father George died December 1929 aged 70  and his mother Annie died in 1938

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