Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Harrold junior was born 1882 in Boyes (Colliery) near Langley Moor, County Durham, one of 17 children, of whom only 6 survived, 3 boys and 3 girls, 11 deceased, born to John Harrold 1847 Loughinisland, County Down, Northern Ireland and his wife Elizabeth 1850, a native of Cleator, Cumberland. His father worked as a hewer, in 1901 they were living at 32, Wood Street, Hebburn, Durham moving by 1911 to 28 Albert Street, Grange Villa. By that time his father was retired, John Harrold junior was doing shift work at the colliery and was the sole breadwinner, they subsidised their income by taking in a boarder, Luke Regan, also a colliery worker.
John Harrold enlisted in Durham in 1914 and was assigned as Private 1633 to the 24th Battalion, 1st Tyneside Irish Northumberland Fusiliers rising through the ranks to Lance Corporal. The 1st Tyneside Irish Battalion was formed November 14th 1914, in March 1915 the 24th/25th/26th and 27th Battalions N. F. moved to Woolsington and together they formed the 103rd Tyneside Irish Brigade, 34th Division in June 1915 at Ripon. They were taken over by the War Office on August 27th 1915, moved to Salisbury Plain at the end of the month for final training and crossed to France in January 1916. The division concentrated at La Crosse to the east of St. Omer and proceeded to the Somme where battle preparations were already underway. The 24th Battalion engaged the enemy as part of the 34th division on the first day of the Battle of the Somme during the Battle of Albert, July 1st-13th 1916.
Lance Corporal 1633 John Harrold was killed in action July 1st 1916, his sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France, pier 10/11/12B. The memorial commemorates the 72,246 British and South African officers and servicemen who died in the Somme sector up to March 1918 and have no known grave. He was 34 years old and single.
John Harrold senior’s death preceded that of his son therefore John junior had nominated his mother Elizabeth as his beneficiary along with his surviving siblings Joseph, James, Isabella, Catherine and Mary. His mother received the sum of 2 pounds 8 shillings and 7 pence, his siblings 11 shillings and 8 pence each of money owed to him. His mother also received a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
John Harrold is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04 at Stanley St. Joseph S135.03 and West Pelton W112.01
