| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Harold Bruce was born in Beverley in 1892, the second son of George and Eliza Bruce of Walkergate, Beverley. Harold had 3 brothers and 3 sisters and was educated at the Beverley Grammar School. At the outbreak of war he was employed in the offices of timber merchants Sanderson brothers of Hull. Harold married Emily Lucas in 1914 and he joined the 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (T) the same year. Harold and Emily had one daughter Effie born in 1915.
Harold was wounded in France and transferred to St Luke`s war hospital in Halifax. He died aged 25 years as a result of his injuries on 19 Nov 1917. The Beverley Guardian, 24 Nov 1917 carries a full report of his military funeral.
'His body was borne from his parents` home on Norwood on a gun carriage, the coffin draped in a Union Jack. The band of the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment led the procession playing a funeral march and bearers and a firing party were furnished from the depot of the East Yorkshire Regiment. The service was conducted by the Rev J B Kirby and at the close of the ceremony the firing party furnished the customary volleys over the grave and buglars sounded the Last Post'.
Harold was interred in St Mary`s Churchyard, New Walk, Beverley. The family grave can still be found in the churchyard. His widow was awarded a gratuity by the army to cover the cost of his funeral which was £4.10 shillings
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |