| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Harold was born in Hull the 19 Jan 1895 as “Harold Stanley Grasby” but was adopted by Henry Smith and Julia Jane Leason of Hull Bridge, Beverley. They married in 1886 in Beverley. Henry was from Walworth, South London, he worked as an oil miller and seed trimmer. In 1911 Harold was working as an under-gardener.
Harold joined up early in the war and served in the 12th Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment, 92nd Brigade, 31st Division. This was the third Hull Pals Battalion, referred to as the “Hull sportsmen”. Harold was rapidly promoted and reached the rank of Lance-Sergeant by 1916. He went with the 12th to Egypt in Dec 1915 but after a short stay guarding the Suez Canal, in Mar 1916 they were transferred to France. They took part in actions on the Somme, at Serre on 13 Nov 1916. The Battalion War Diary notes that the initial attack on German lines was successful but states that, “the Germans counter attacked in force, twice during the day…but were annihilated by our Lewis guns. The whole day was spent in fighting small parties, bombers and snipers. In the evening, as there was a danger of being surrounded, it was decided to withdraw…” The 12th lost 13 men killed, 195 wounded and also 161 missing, including Harold. On 20 Jan 1917 the Beverley Guardian contained a letter to his mother stating that he was still missing and that he had been “an excellent NCO”. In fact Harold had been taken prisoner and in 1917-1918 spent time in four German POW camps-at Limburg, Minden, Soltau and Hameln. Conditions were tough as food was in short supply and work duties were compulsory. Harold was awarded the War and Victory Medals as well as the 1914-15 Star.
Immediately upon his return home Harold married Annie Elizabeth Wise in Beverley in Dec 1918. They had five children. Harold worked as an oil miller’s pressman. The family lived on Hull Road, Hull Bridge later moving to 2 Weel Road. Harold died in Dec 1951 aged 56 and was buried in Tickton parish churchyard on Christmas Eve 1951. Annie died in 1978.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |