Harold Hazzledine
In 1911, he was a wood turner (telephone works).
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Harold Hazzeldine was born on 10th March 1894 at Beeston, he was the son of John William a lace maker and Sarah Ann Hazzledine née James of 37, Church Street, Beeston, Nottingham and the brother of Horace Hazzeldine who served in Army Service Corps and Labour Corps.
His father John William was born in 1868 at Beeston, his mother Sarah Ann James was born in 1869 at Ruddington, they were married in 1889 their marriage was recorded in theBasford registration district they had 4 children, sadly 1 was to die in infancy or early childhood.
In the 1911 census the family are living at 37 Church Street, Beeston, John William 43 yrs is a lace maker, he is living with his wife Sarah Ann 42 yrs and their children, Arthur 20 yrs a lace draughtsman, Horace 18 yrs a lace maker and Harold 16 yrs a wood turner in a telephone works. .
Harold Hazzledine enlisted in August 1914 and after training was one of a draft of 116 other ranks sent to 1st battalion on 19 March 1915 to make up for losses sustained during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. On 5 July 1916, after the horrendous losses of 1st day of the Somme, the battalion were tasked with attacking to straighten the front line near La Boiselle. All was chaos and elements of 57th brigade occupied the trenches and dugouts. Adding to this ration and working parties were also attempting to get through. The original jump off time of 2pm was put back to 2.15pm, and the CO found that the reserve had arrived and commenced going over the top, At 2.50 pm the centre column advanced but were held up by a block of earth some 12 feet high and after costly attempts to overcome the obstacle, had to give ground, The Right column advanced, gained its objective but was driven back by enemy bombs, The Left column was held up from the start. Fighting at close quarters continued for several hours but by 7 pm it became clear that all but 'D' company had been driven back. 'D' company attacked 5 times and eventually won and consolidated their trench. At 9 pm, 'D' Company had to be withdrawn as it was in danger of being cut off and all companies were in practically the original front line. 'A' Company suffered heavy casualties. 'B' and 'C' made three attacks but were forced back by superior numbers and bombs. At 2 pm the enemy counter attacked but this failed. After the battle it was found that a regiment of the Prussian Guards Division had been brought up to counter-attack and retake La Boiselle. This attack coincided with the 1st battalion's. The battalion had stopped the finest regiment in the German army, with superior numbers, retaking La Boiselle. The battalion had some 60 men killed on the day, with a large number wounded and missing. Harold is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
He was killed in action on 5th July 1916 aged 21 yrs, in the attack on the German positions at La Boisselle, France, during the Battle of the Somme.
Commemorated: Thiepval Memorial, France. Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.
Harold’s effects were left to his father.
additional research and information Peter Gillings
From Beeston Remembers by David Hallam. Courtesy of Brian Szowkomud
Harold Hazzledine
Courtesy of John Morse
Hazzledine commemorated on the Thiepval Mamorial