Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Henry Harford known as Harry was born August 7th and baptised August 26th 1894 in the parish of Venerable Bede, Gateshead. He was the 2nd born of 4 surviving sons and a daughter, 7 deceased. His father John Hampton native of Hayle, near Penzance, Cornwall, born 1863, migrated to the north east where he met Elizabeth Ann Landless born 1868 at Choppington, near Morpeth, whom he married in the parish of Venerable Bede, February 5th 1887. He supported his family employed as a boiler-smith and in 1901 was living at 15, John Street, Gateshead with his wife and surviving children, Alfred John born Feb 14th and baptised March 15th 1891, Henry Harford, George William July 7th and baptised July 24th 1898, Mary Ann April 1900 and Edward J Hampton 1905. Unfortunately, John Hampton died aged only 45 years of age in 1908. Elizabeth Ann, to support her children, worked as a char-woman assisted by Alfred (20) employed as a brass fitter and Henry (16) a screener at the colliery. George (12), Mary Ann (11) and Edward (6) were scholars. Living with them at 36, Moore Street, Gateshead was Elizabeth Ann’s widowed mother 68 years old Mary Ann Landless originally of Bath, Somerset.
Harry enlisted at Gateshead in 1914 assigned as Private 3052 Durham Light Infantry. Over the next 9 months after spending several weeks digging trenches at South Shields they were formed into 4 companies and sent to train at Ravensworth, Boldon and Newcastle for full time service overseas. Private Hampton having been posted to the 1/9th Battalion left Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station with his Regiment, April 19th 1915 and within days was fighting on the Ypres salient in Belgium during the 2nd Battle of Ypres where the Regiment suffered heavy casualties from shelling and gas attacks on the Frezenberg and Bellewaarde ridges. The 1/9th Battalion served as part of the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division in Belgium until August 1916 when they were sent south to the Somme. During September and October, they attacked towards the Starfish Line north of High Wood and the Flers Line at Eaucourt L’Abbaye.
Henry Harford was killed in action September 29th 1916 on the Somme. His sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial. He was 22 years of age and single.
His mother as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 36 Moore Street, Gateshead.
Harry’s brother Private Alfred John Hampton also served during WW1 and died of renal failure and convulsions whilst on active service in Mesopotamia, August 19th 1918. He was 27 years of age and left a widow and 2 children.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Henry Harford Hampton is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 at Gateshead on G39.025, G39.048 and G39.091
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 266
