Harry Desborough
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Harry was born in Woodborough and was the third son of Samuel and Mary Jane Desborough nee Pepper. Samuel Desborough was born in Woodborough and he and Mary Jane Pepper were married in 1885 (J/F/M Basford) at Basford Register Office. They had five children, one of whom, Albert, died in infancy: Walter Desborough Pepper b. 1884 (O/N/D Basford), Charles b. 1886 (O/N/D Basford) d. 1895 (O/N/D Basford), Harry b 1889 (J/A/S Basford), John Thomas b. 1895 (A/M/J Basford) and Albert Arthur b. 1902 (J/A/S Basford) d. 1903 (J/F/M Basford). Their eldest son, Walter, who was born before their marriage later took the name Walter Pepper Desborough. In 1891 Samuel (25), a framework knitter, was living on Lees Yard, Main Street, Woodborough, with his wife Mary Jane (25) and their sons Walter (6), Charles (4) and Henry (1). By 1901 the family had moved to Southerns Row, Woodborough. Samuel and his son Walter (16) were stocking frame knitters while Charles (14) was an agricultural labourer and Harry (11) and John Thomas (5) were at school. Samuel and Mary had a fifth son, Albert Arthur, who was born in 1902 and died in 1903 before his first birthday while their second son, Charles, died in 1905 aged 19. In 1911 Samuel and Mary were living at Holly Cottage, Woodborough, with their son John Thomas (15). John later moved to Leek, Staffordshire, where he was a silk worker. Harry had moved to Macclesfield some years before and had married Frances Bertha Walthall in 1909 (J/A/S Macclesfield, Cheshire). They had one child, Edna b. 19145 (A/M/J Macclesfield). In 1911 Harry and Bertha were living at 81 Pitt Street, Macclesfield; Harry (21) was a hand silk tie knitter. They later lived at 168 High Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire (premises now a fish and chip shop). His brother John Thomas served with The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment (27356 Private) and was killed on 25 October 1918 (Thiepval memorial). See record on this ROH. Samuel and Mary were still living at Holly Cottge in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled; Samuel had retired as a framweork knitter. Samuel died on 25 April 1947; administration of his estate was awarded to his only suriving son, Walter Pepper Desborough. Samuel was still living in Woodborough.
Harry enlisted in Macclesfield with the Cheshire Regiment but was finally transferred to 37th Battalion Machine Gun Corps in which he was a private. Being in the Machine Gun Corps was not an enviable job because it meant you were always at the front of the firing line which made you a prime target for the enemy. Harry's final days in the war were spent pursuing the Germans in the last and final allied assault which began in August 1918. Part of this campaign was the Battle of the Selle which occurred between 17th October to 25th October 1918. The allies were in the area of Romeries to the east of Cambrai and the commune of Romeries was recaptured from the Germans on 23rd October 1918. Harry was killed in action on 24th October 1918 at the age of 28 years (Romeries Communal Cemetery, grave ref. V. C .7) He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His grave may be found at the Romeries Communal Cemetery on the western side of the village. Not only is his name commemorated on the Woodborough War Memorial but it is also named on the Macclesfield War Memorial. WW1 Pension Ledger: His dependents were his widow Bertha Frances and daughter Edna. 'Desborough' was a common surname in Woodborough and it is likely that another casualty who was born in Woodborough, Harold Bancroft Desborough, the son of Robert and Lydia, was a relative of Harry and John Thomas Desborough. Harold served with the North Staffordshire Regiment and died on 13 March 1915. Likewise, John Desborough (DOW. 1916) the son of John Desborough of Woodborough and Emma; his parents later of Arnold. (See records on this ROH.)
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