Harold Bass
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold Bass was born in 1894 at Mansfield and was the son of Walter a foreman at a bone manure works and Frances Mary Bass née Renshaw of Forge Mill, Bestwood. His father was born in 1861 at Linbury, Bedfordshire and his mother Frances May Renshaw was born in 1858 at Mansfield, they were married in 1884 their mariage was recorded in the Mansfield Registration district, they went on to have the following children, Ernest b1887, Frank b1890, Harold b1894 and Frances Hilda b1897 all were born in Mansfield. In the 1911 census the family lived at Forge Mill Bestwood Nottinghamshire and were shown as Walter 50 yrs a foreman on a bone manure works he is living with is wife Frances May 53 yrs and their children, Frank 21 yrs a clerk, Harold 17 yrs a student teacher and Frances Hilda 14 yrs a lace curtain mender. Harold married Bertha Reeve in 1917 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district. Probate was awarded to Bertha Bass widow (£44 9s 2d).
Harold Bass joined the 10th Battalion in October of 1915 just after the the Battle of Loos. He served in the Armentieres sector through until the spring of 1916 when the battalion moved down to prepare for the Somme offensive. Bass saw action just to the north of Fricourt on July 1st 1916, the opening day of the Somme. He fought at Arras and at Passchendaele in 1917 as the adjutant. In February of 1918 the battalion was disbanded and Bass was attached to the 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed at Villers Bretoneux on 24th April 1918 and his name is commemorated on the Pozieres memorial.
His official citation was published in the 'London Gazette' on 26th July 1918:“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. An enemy attack in force succeeded in driving back a front line for about 100 yards. In command of the battalion he showed great courage and coolness in reforming his men under heavy shell and machine-gun fire, and sending them forward in waves, and also in the reorganisation of immediate supports, thereby enabling the front line to be strengthened and held. His splendid example at a critical period had a most reassuring effect upon all ranks under his command.”In memoriam published 23rd April 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BASS. – In loving memory of Captain Harold Bass, M.C., 10 Yorkshire Regt. (attached 2nd West Yorkshire Regt.), killed in action April 24th, 1918, at Villers Bretonneux. – Father, mother, sister, and brothers.” Above in memoriam is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914 - 1918
