Harold Brailsford
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Harold Henry was born 1893 Sandiacre Derbyshire the son of Thomas and Lucy Brailsford, one of 9 children. In 1901 the family were living at 6 Padley Street Bulwell, and they had moved to No 86 Turton Street in Bulwell by 1911. Harold worked in the hosiery trade as a hosier dresser/finisher. His service records give his mother as next of kin with an address of The Rectory Cottage, Colwick. According to his records he was 5ft 4 and 3/4 inches tall and weighed 134 lbs. He gave his religion as Church of England. Harold's father died in 1912 and in 1913 his mother Lucy remarried to an Ernest Wiggins. They moved to 6 Mar Hill Road, Carlton, Nottingham. At the time of his death Harold was engaged to Fanny.
Harold enlisted at Chesterfield in Derbyshire on 29 August 1914 signing on for a period of 3 years. He joined the Leicestershire Regiment as a private on 30 August 1914 and was sent to Aldershot for his training. On 9th October 1916 he was promoted to acting unpaid Lance Corporal, then confirmed as Corporal on 2 March 1917. Harold served as part of the British Expeditionary Force in France from 29 July 1915 until his death in May 1918. He was wounded in action on 20 May 1918, having been gassed, and died on 27 May. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial in France. He was eligible for the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His personal effects were sent to Mrs L Wiggins of 6 Mar Hill Road, Carlton.
'In memoriam' notice published 27th May 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BRAILSFORD. – In affectionate remembrance of Corpl. Harold Brailsford, Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action May 27th, 1918. A loss to great to be forgotten. – Sadly missed by sisters Winnie, Emily, and fiancée, Fanny, also by Mrs. Wainman” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 27 May 1920: ‘Brailsford In loving memory of Harold, killed in action May 27th, 1918. To memory ever dear. Sadly missed by sister Winnie and fiancée Fanny.’.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
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