| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Harry Gawan was born in Beverley the 16 Mar 1875, one of eight children born to John and Mary Ann Gawan. John worked as a “printer’s pressman”. The family lived on Providence Row, Regent Street, Beverley but later moved to the Norwood area. The family belonged to the Primitive Methodist Church. Harry's first employment was as an errand boy, noted in the 1891 census. He later worked as a tanner’s labourer. Harry was married Edith Anne Marson in 1901. Edith was born in 1877 in Beverley. She was a dressmaker. They had four children, Maurice born 1904, Laurence born 1906, Gilbert born 1913 and Evelyn born 1920.
Harry was a member of the East Riding of Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry, based at the Army Riding School, Walton Street, Hull. In 1907 it became part of the Territorial Force. Harry served as a part time private/trooper. It was intended for home defence during wartime and its members couldn’t be compelled to serve outside the UK. However in Aug and Sep the Yeomanry were split into the 1st Line (liable for overseas service) and the 2nd Line (for those unable or unwilling to serve abroad). Harry joined the 1/1st Line and in the autumn of 1915 was sent to Egypt arriving there on 11 Nov 11. In 1916 they were part of the Western Frontier Force in Egypt undertaking desert patrols but by 1917 they were part of an ANZAC force for the campaign against the Ottoman Turks in Palestine. They took part in the three Battles of Gaza during 1917. Most of the Yeomanry was assigned to the Machine Gun Corps in France in 1918 after the defeat of the Turks. Harry was awarded the 1914-15 Star and the War and Victory Medals.
Harry returned to the tannery but by 1939 was working only as a storekeeper. He lived at 16 Priory Road, Beverley. He died aged 67, on 7 Feb 1943 at the Base Hospital, Westwood. He was buried three days later at Queensgate Cemetery. Edith died in 1939.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |