Harold Mercer
He was a pattern maker
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Harold Mercer was the son of Henry and Louisa Mercer (née Walters).
Henry was born in 1845 at Manchester and Louisa in 1844 at Shardlow, Derbyshire. They were married in 1874 (reg. Nottingham) and their son Harold was born in 1882.
From 1891 until 1911 the family lived at 13 Arthur Terrace Independent Street, Nottingham.
Henry died in 1896 aged 51 and at the time of the 1911 census Louisa was head of household and living with Harold (28) who, like his father, was a lace pattern maker.
Louisa died on 30 January 1913 aged 69.
Private Harold Mercer enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.
He was killed in action on 1 October 1915. The only notice of his death in the local paper was published in July 1916 suggesting that it was ten months before his death on that date was confirmed. Harold has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial (Panel 20 to 22).
He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC history of the Loos Memorial (extract): 'The Loos Memorial forms the sides and back of Dud Corner Cemetery. Dud Corner Cemetery stands almost on the site of a German strong point, the Lens Road Redoubt, captured by the 15th (Scottish) Division on the first day of the battle. The name "Dud Corner" is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice.' The Memorial 'commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, from the first day of the Battle of Loos to the end of the war.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC incorrectly cites 34 as age at death. He was born JAS 1882.
CWGC Additional information: Son of the late Henry and Louisa Mercer, of Nottingham.
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave, headstone inscription: 'In affectionate remembrance of John Mercer who departed this life February 27th 1884 aged (-) year. Also Henry Mercer son of the above who died October 7th 1896 aged 50 years (-) Also Louisa Mercer beloved wife of Henry Mercer who died January 30th 1913 aged 69 years 'At Rest' Also Harold, son of the above Henry & Louisa Mercer killed in action in France Octr. 1st 1915 aged 33 years'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 19 & 20 July 1916: ‘Mercer. Killed in action, October 1st, 1915, Private H Mercer, Northumberland Fusiiers, of Arthur-Terrace, Radford. A noble sacrifice. A.M.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Photo of Harold Mercer
Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France (www.cwgc.org)
Photo of Harold Mercer
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave. Photograph Simon Roots, CWGC 'EOHO' project volunteer (Feb. 2026)