| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Harold was born 2 Oct 1889 in Maison Laffitte, France. His parents were Charles and Ellen nee Nutchey Cunningham. Charles was a horse trainer/dealer and was in France in connection with that trade when Harold was born. Charles was born in Malton in 1850, the eldest of 7 children, where his father was a training groom. Ellen was born in Beverley in 1857, the second eldest of 7 children. The 1901 Census records Ellen Cunningham as living with her children at The Grove, Baldock Road, Royston, Hertfordshire. The family members were Harold, Tom, Roland and Charles Nutchey. Charles senior was listed as a visitor, a horse trainer, in Wisbech St Peter.
In 1898 Harold enrolled as a pupil at the Beverley Wesleyan School. In 1911 the family were living at 6 Willow Grove Beverley. Charles senior was described as a horse dealer and Harold as a groom at a racing stable. Harold emigrated to Australia 23 May 1912, travelling from London to Melbourne on the 'Geelong'.
He joined the Australian Imperial Force and served in France, travelling via Egypt and Marseille. He was discharged in Sep 1919. Harold was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and Star. He was wounded in Jun 1918. When in France he was charged "when on active service he deserted from 28th August to 1st September 1916" and was sentenced to 10 years penal servitude. The sentence was suspended on 2 Oct and quashed on 17 Nov 1916.
Harold married Alberta Victoria Parkinson in 1929 and died in Caulfield, Victoria in 1955
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |