Harold Walter Addy

Harold Walter Addy entered theatre on 9 February 1915. The battle of Neuve Chapelle began on 10th March and ended on 13th March. At 5 am on 12 March the Germans shelled battalion HQ and advanced in overwhelming numbers forcing the men to retire to support trenches some 150 yards to the rear. The battalion then counter-attacked causing heavy casualties on the enemy and by 7 am had regained the front line. During this action Private Jacob Rivers won a Victoria Cross but was killed, as was Walter Addy. Harold Walter has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial (Panel 26 and 27), Pas de Calais, France. The Memorial is located at the east end of Le Touret Military Cemetery and 'commemorates over 13,400 British soldiers who were killed in this sector of the Western Front from the beginning of October 1914 to the eve of the Battle of Loos in late September 1915 and who have no known grave.' (www.cwgc.org) John Morse

Newark Advertiser, ‘In Memoriam’, 12 March 1930: ‘Addy. In loving memory of Harold Walter Addy, killed in action, Neuve Chapelle, France. March 12th, 1915. Fondly remembered. From his sorrowing Mother and Brother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)