Harold Geary
1911 - scholar. 1915 - he was a miner when he enllsted.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Harold was born in the mining village of Newstead, Nottinghamshire, in 1898, the son of Jeremiah Geary and his wife Clara (née Rigley).
His father Jeremiah was born in 1866, the son of Edward and Hannah Geary. In 1891 Jeremiah was living with his parents and brothers Thomas and Walter at Colliery Houses, 95 Newstead. Edward and his sons were coal miners at the local colliery.
Jeremiah and Clara were married in 1893 and had eight children, two of whom died in infancy: Evelyn b. 1894, Walter Edward, Harold b. 1898, Hilda b. 1899 d. 1900, Ivy b. 1902, Lancelot b. 1905, Cyril b. 1907 d. 1907 and Ada b. 1908.
In 1901 Jeremiah and Clara were living at the Cottage, 106 Newstead Colliery, with their three surviving children, Evelyn, Walter and Harold. A second daughter, Hilda, had died the previous year.
The family was living at the same address in 1911. The couple's six surviving children were in the home on the night of the census: Evelyn, a laundress (laundry), Walter a colliery labourer underground, Harold, Ivy and Lancelot who were school age and Ada. Another son, Cyril, born in 1907 had died before his first birthday.
Harold's mother, Clara, died in 1914 (O/N/D) aged 41.
Her husband married secondly Maria Dove in 1919. By 1939, Jeremiah had retired from his employment as a colliery stallman and he and his wife were living at 16 Vane Street, Nottingham.
Maria died in 1942 and Jeremiah in 1949. His son Walter Edward, had predeceased him in 1926 (m. Mary K MIlls 1919) and Jeremiah was survived by a son and three daughters, Evelyn (Bailey m. 1916), Lancelot, Ivy (Lavin m. 1924) and Ada (Roe m. 1928).
Harold enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters (9th Battalion) on 9 January 1915.
The 9th (Service) Battalion was a battalion of the New Armies and was formed at Derby in August 1914. The Battalion sailed from Liverpool in early July 1915 for Gallipoli and landed at Suvla Bay on 7 August. It was evacuated in December 1915 and the Battalion spent time in Egypt before transferring to the Somme, France, in July 1916.
Harold probably served in theatre from late August, and reported ill at Gallipoli on 9 November 1915 with symptoms of abnormal weakness and debility. He was medically evacuated to Egypt for treatment but while there he developed an abcess and was repatriated to the Red Cross Hospital London. Harold was treated at the London hospital for three months before being transferred to Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham.
He was treated, and had surgery, for abcesses on his hip and back. His discharge record included the medical opinion that an 'old TB lesion was probably aggravated by active service.' The decision was made that his incapacity was permanent and he was discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for war service (KR 332 (XVI). However, there was a note in his discharge papers that he was ‘Liable to be sent a Statutory Order on 6 August 1918 requiring him to present himself for medical re-examination under the Military Service (Review of Exceptions) Act 1917.’ His military character 'IAW KR [King's Regulations]' was described as 'VG [very good]' and was 'sober, honest and trustworthy.'
Harold was discharged on 6 August and was issued with a Silver Badge (number 122,836) which was awarded to servicemen who were no longer physically fit for war service. He had served in the Army for 2 years 210 days and qualified for the 1915 Star and the Victory and British War Medals.
Harold returned to live with his father at 106 Newstead Colliery. He never recovered his health and died on 10 November 1918 and was buried in Newstead Cemetery with full military honours. According to a newspaper report of the funeral, Harold had succumbed to influenza.
His name is not recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as his death was not attributable to war service. However, his local community included his name on the village war memorial.
Beeston Gazette & Echo, 16 October (photograph): ‘Private Harold Geary. It is not always the most prominent of youths who have the most patriotic hearts, and this war has proved that amongst the fighters are youths of almost retiring disposition and to all appearances peace-loving citizens. Of such a character was Private Harold Geary who was of a very retiring nature. His is now with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and is determined to do all in his power to crush the Huns and the Turks and keep our beloved country from the ravages of war except what is done by the Zeppelins, which are beyond the power of land forces. His father, Mr Jeremiah Geary, is a respected Newsteadite, his mother dying about a year ago. Private Geary enlisted last January.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.o.uk)
Beeston Gazette and Echo, 23 November 1918 (photograph): ‘After Two Years’ Illness. Pte. Harold Geary was laid to reset in the little cemetery at Newstead on Wednesday last with full military honours, this being the first funeral of this character at Newstead. The service was conducted by the Rev. A Griffiths, Primitive Methodist Minister, in the presence of a large crowd who had assembled to show their respect to the memory of a brave lad, 26 soldiers being present. Pte. H Geary was only 20 years of age, and as he enlisted in January, 1915, when under 17 years of age, it is evident that he had a true Britisher’s heart. He was sent out with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and spent some time in Egypt. Unfortunately, his health broke down whilst in the Land of the Pharoahs, and he was brought to Bagthorpe Hospital two years ago. He failed to regain his former strength, and when he was attacked with the ‘flu it proved to be too much for his weakened frame, and he succumbed on November 10 – the day before the signing of the armistice.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Harold Geary
Beeston Gazette & Echo, 23 November 1918 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)