Harold Bettison
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Bettison and Harriet Pearson married in Worksop in 1888. The 1891 census includes son, Garbet, who was born in 1880 at Woodsetts and, most probably, to Harriet. The three lived at 15 Beaver Place, Worksop after marrying and William was working as a railway platelayer. They were still living at the same address 10 years later but with another son, George William, followed by Harold (the subject of this text) in 1894 and Gertrude in 1897. By 1911 the family had moved within Worksop to 45 Sandy Lane and Harold, now of working age, was employed as a bricklayer. He later became a police constable with Nottinghamshire Constabulary. At the time Harold enlisted he gave his next of kin as his parents and sister Gertrude, who were still living at Sandy Lane, William at 126 Carlton Road, Worksop, and Garbet in Donnington, Yorkshire.
Army Service Record held by RHQ Coldstream Guards. Harold enlisted at Nottingham in the Coldstream Guards on 3 March 1915 aged 21 years 275 days. He was drafted to France on 2 November 1915 and killed in action at Flers/Courcelette the following year, having served for 1 year and 197 days. He is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial. His father acknowledged receipt of Harold's medals on 11 July 1921.
Photographs of Bettison in police uniform were made available to NARPO by Robert Ilett. Harold Bettison is not commemorated on the Nottinghamshire Constabulary memorial, now at Sherwood Lodge