Harry Howett
he was a packer upon his enlistment.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Harry Howett was born in 1879 at Woddborough village, Nottinghamshire, he was the son of Robert a farmer and Annie Howett née Dalling and the brother of Ernest, Fred and Frank Howett.
His father Robert was born in 1844 at Nottingham, he died in 1889 at Woodborough, his mother Mary Ann (Annie) Dalling was born in 1843 at Nottingham, she died in 1898 aged 52 yrs, they were married in 1868 at Nottingham, they went on to have 9 children.
In the 1881, census they lived at 'The Manor' Woodborough, Nottinghamshire. Robert 37 yrs is a farmer of 370 acres employing 35 men and 4 boys, he is living with is wife Annie 37 yrs and their children, Ernest 5 yrs, Fred 4 yrs, Harry 2yrs and Frank 10 months old.
At some point prior to the 'Great War' Harry emigrated to Australia.
Private Harry Howett enlisted on 7th December 1916 at Melbourne Australia giving his address as 232 Leicester Street, Carlton, Melbourne, he stated he was a packer, he was maried his wife Lizzie Howett lived at Thorneywood, Mapperley, Nottingham, (it was later added to his service record that his wifes whereabouts were unknown) his next of kin was his brtoher Robert Howett 76 Selby Road, Nottingham. he served with the 6th Battalion Australian Infantry, he embarked from Melbourne on board the HMAT Ballarat on 19th February 1917 arriving at Devonport on 25th April 1917. He landed in France on 18th October 1917. He was wounded in action gun shot wound to his right leg and admitted to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, he died on 23rd August 1918, he was buried West Of Hamel his name is commorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France
His army service records shows that enquireis to find his wife were negative, several persosn who knew him before he left for Australia never heard of him ever getting married. His brother R Howett 26 Selby Raod, Nottingham stated he had no knwoledge of the his brother marraige.
Numerous communications are included in his service record of efforts to trace his 'wife' all of which proved negative.
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Photo of Harry Howett
villers-bretonneux-memorial courtesy of the cwgc