| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Private Arthur Harrod of the 5th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment (150th Brigade, 50th Northern Division) was killed in action on 19 Jul 1917 in an area 10 miles to the south east of the city of Arras. Aa letter from Lt Robson to his parents published in the Beverley Guardian newspaper of 28 Jul 1917 noted that, “He was severely wounded by the explosion of a shell, and died shortly afterwards.” He is buried at the Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension at the village of Heninel. He was awarded the War and Victory Medals.
Arthur enlisted in late 1915-early 1916 and served in his Battalion for at least some the actions on the Somme. The area near Arras had been fought over in the Battle of Arras that had started in April 1917 and it is likely that Arthur had been involved in the 2nd Battle of the Scarpe in late April. The Battle of Arras had effectively ended in June 1917 and the Third Battle of Ypres in Belgium was about to begin in late July so he was in a relatively quiet sector when he died.
Lieutenant Robson also gives a clue as to Arthur’s character,
“It may be some comfort to you to know that your son was killed whilst steadfastly doing his duty at a critical period, and was known throughout his company as a man who could be depended upon to do his best.”
Arthur was born in Beverley in 1892 and prior to enlistment worked at Beverley Gas Works, Figham Road and then at Hodgson’s Glue Works, where he was remembered on their Roll of Honour. His parents were Charles Harrod originally from Norfolk, and Fanny West of Beverley. Charles worked at Hodgsons as a labourer and was involved with the United Methodist Church, Trinity Lane. Arthur had six siblings, including his brother Charles, born 1888, who also served in the army in the 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. The family home in 1901 was in St Andrew Street but later was Eastbourne Villa, Grovehill Road, Beverley. Arthur was unmarried.
Arthur is remembered on the Grovehill Street Shrine, on the Hengate War Memorial and on the East Riding Memorial in Beverley Minster.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |