Harold Lot Mansell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold Lot Mansell was born in 1885 at Nottingham and was the son of Lot a grocers assistant and Jeanette Eliza Mansell née Heard of 6 Woodthorpe Ave, Woodthorpe, Nottingham. His father Lot was born in 1852 at Thrapston, his mother Jeanette Eliza Heard was born in 1857 at Radford, they were married in 1875 at Radford and went on to have the following children, Joseph Martin b1877, Jeanette Eliza b1878, William b1880 and Harold Lot b1885 all were born in Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family lived at 6 Woodthorpe Ave, Woodthorpe and were shown as Lot 59 yrs an out of work grocers assistant, he is living with his wife Jeanette 54 yrs and their children Joseph Martin 34 yrs a barman in a wine vault, Jeanette Eliza 33 yrs a machinist, William 31 yrs a baker and Harold Lot 26 yrs a cigar salesman. Harold Lot married Annie Stokes in 1915 their marriage was registered in the Basford registration district and they lived at 'Fern Cottage' Woodthorpe Drive Nottingham they had a son Harold born in 1915. Following his death his widow Annie was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 9 pence a week which commenced on 8th October 1917.
Private Harold Lot Mansell enlisted in Nottingham into the Sherwood Foresters Regiment and after training was posted to the 2nd battalion of the regiment. This battalion was based near Sheffield at the outbreak of the war and they landed in France on the 11th September 1914. He died from wounds on 13th March 1917 and is buried at Philosophe British Cemetery
His younger brother Private Joseph Martin Mansell enlisted at Nottingham, he served with the the North Staffordshire Regiment in which he served for a time with the service number 23273. At some point he was posted to the 1st Battalion The East Lancashire Regiment and given the new number 29321. The 11th Brigade 4th Division, a part of XIV Corps were ordered to attack Frosty, Hazy, Rainy and Dewdrop Trenches. At 2.40 am on 18th October, 1916 the 1st Rifle Brigade reached the gun pits in front of Hazy Trench but had to retire due to strong German resistance. The 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment put in their attack on Dewdrop Trench but it was found to be heavily defended by the Germans with many machine guns and they were held up. Meanwhile the 1st Kings Own (12 Brigade) bombed down from Spectrum Trench towards Dewdrop trench gaining about 70 yards. It was during this attack that Joseph was wounded. He died from his wounds on 25th October 1916 and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery,France
