HARRY HEALD |
Gunner 189377
232nd Siege Bty, Royal Garrison Artillery
Died Monday 2nd September 1918, Aged 23.
Buried: Foucaucourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, France
Harry Heald was born at Westwood, Nottinghamshire
later living in Jacksdale. He was the son of Henry & Mary Heald of
Albion House, Selston, Notts who are recorded in the 1891 census as living at
‘The New Inn’ Public House, Palmerston Street (at that time known as Old
Westwood). By 1901 his father had changed his occupation to ‘railway
carter.’ Their son Harry was baptisted at St Helen’s Church, Selston, Notts
on 28th July 1895. Harry
had sisters, Annie b. 1884 (who was a dressmaker),
Polly b. 1886, Lucy Jane b.1889
and Elsie b. 1893. His father Henry
was born in 1855 at Westwood and his mother Mary was born in 1856 at Kirkby.
On the ‘Soldiers Died in The Great War’ CD Rom it
states that Harry enlisted at Ripon, Yorkshire, date unknown. Gunner Harry Heald
was killed in action on Monday 2nd September 1918, only two months before
Armistice day, aged 23 years at time of death.
He is buried in The Foucaucourt Communal Cemetery, in the
Somme Region of France. (Foucaucourt was in German hands until 27th August
1918). In the South Western corner of the cemetery there are only
eight British servicemen’s graves in all.
One was buried by the enemy in March 1918. The other seven, of which
Harry Heald, would have been one, were buried by their comrades in August and
September 1918.
Harry is also commemorated on the Jacksdale War Memorial.
Another serviceman named on the Jacksdale Memorial as
having served, is one John Heald, 14095 Lance Corporal Heald of the 4th
Lincolnshire Regt, listed as an Absent Voter on the 1918 Electoral Roll, with
place of residence recorded as Main Road, Jacksdale; who we believe may have
been a close relative. We would
welcome any further information.
The 1915 Electoral Roll lists three Healds in all , namely,
Henry Heald (probably Harry’s father) at Main Road, Jacksdale and Robert and
William Heald of New Westwood. Any information to confirm a connection would be
welcome.
Last updated 24/12/02