Harry Harvey

Born: 1887

Died: 23 April 1917

Rank and Regiment: Private 29531 in the 1st Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment

Resting Place: body unrecovered

Memorials: St. Peter and St. Paul, Barnham Broom, United Kingdom and; Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France - Bay 3, Course J, Stone 10

Harry was born 1887 in Barnham Broom to parents, Richard (a farmer) and Emma Harvey (nee Harrison). Richard and Emma married in Barnham Broom on 25 November 1883. They had Harry’s elder brother Ernest around 1885. In 1901, Richard and Ernest worked together on the family farm in Rush Green, Barnham Broom whilst Harry was an agricultural labourer elsewhere. Tragically however, in 1909 Emma passed away, followed swiftly by Richard on 23rd April 1910. They were buried in Barnham Broom churchyard, and Harry undertook the roll as Head of the family. He and Ernest worked together on their family farm until Harry’s enlistment as a Private into the 1st Battalion of Norfolk Regiment.

Harry’s military records have not survived but if he stayed with his battalion on the 23rd April 1917 he would have been part of the allied attack on La Coulotte at the Battle of Arras. The 5th Allied Division advanced towards Avion where they were halted by a powerful German defensive line. The 1st Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment along with 1st Bedfordshires, 1st Devonshires and the 16th Warwickshires advanced up to the wire, but only a few parties made it through. The rest were subject to extreme gunfire from the German Battlements. By 15:00 the last of the advance parties had returned to British lines, with the division suffering around 1600 casualties. Tragically, it is likely that this is where Harry lost his life as he was reported missing in action, presumed dead, on 23rd April 1917, aged 30.

His fortune of £4. 11. 5d. was left to his aunt Emily Eldridge and brother Ernest. He is commemorated on the Barnham Broom War Memorial, and with other members of the Norfolk Regiment on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

Arras Memorial, France