Harold Samuel Slater

Trained at Clipstone Camp before being sent to France with the Chemical Section of the Royal Engineers. Was taking up ammunition when he was killed by a shell. Beaulencourt British Cemetery, Ligny-Thilloy (grave ref Sp. Mem. A.4.)

Mundella Magazine, July 1917, 'Our Fallen': 'The death in action of Harold Slater, whom we all affectionately called Pease, was a great blow to all Mundellians, to whom his tall figure – he was over 6ft tall when he left school two years ago – was so familiar. Slater was a conscientious diligent worker. Undaunted by successive failures, three at the Senior Oxford, and two at the London Matric., he ultimately passed the London Matric. He had previously qualified for entrance to College by passing the Oxford Senior in various subjects. He spent only a few weeks training at Clipstone Camp before being sent to France with the Chemical Section of the RE. On the night of May 6th he was engaged in taking up ammunition when a shell dropped among the team, killing all but two. It is some consolation to know that death was instantaneous, death being due to shock. One of his officers writes to his parents as follows: ‘I can assure you that Harold had nothing to regret in his living on this side of the Great Beyond. A non-smoker and teetotaller, unselfish and devoted to his pals, and after all only a boy, his death is regretted by all. That you may find strength in the knowledge that no man did his duty more fearlessly or willingly in this time of trial is my earnest hope.’