Harry, I am not aware of the precise circumstances of your death, nor what caused it, although so many of our comrades must have been blown to smithereens in the German artillery defensive barrage. As a former soldier in the 1st and 7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment myself, doing my National Service in peacetime in 1950-51, although sad to read about your death, I am pleased to be given this opportunity to salute you as a brave young soldier who lost his life on the Somme in the service of his country. I can but quote the memorial hymn again, “All you had hoped for, all you had you gave to save mankind – yourself you scorned to save.” The remains of most of your comrades who fell at these times were not recovered from the field of battle and they are therefore commemorated on the Memorial at Thiepval, where so many Warwicks are commemorated, and the rest were commemorated elsewhere. A few of you were identified and received a proper military funeral in nearby graveyards, with a Guard of Honour who fired the traditional salute. You were laid to rest in Grove Town Cemetery, Meault with twenty other Royal Warwicks. I also trust that you were commemorated on your home town war memorial. But you are also remembered every year at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, when the parade is at the attention while the Queen’s Colour and the National Standard are dipped in salute as the Last Post is sounded. I offer my sympathy to your parents and other relatives and friends who mourned your sacrifice. Rest in Peace. Harry.
Henry Harrison