Harold Pinder
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold was the son of Herbert Overton and Sarah Ann Pinder (née Timmons). His father was born in New Leake, Lincolnshire, in 1869 and his mother in Mansfield in 1866. They were married at Mansfield SS Peter and Paul in March 1893 and had six children, one of whom died in infancy or childhood. Their surviving children were: Bert b. Mansfield 1893 (reg. J/F/M 1894), Harold b. Nottingham 1898 (O/N/D), Leonard b. Nottingham 1901 and Florrie b. 1908 and Ethel b. 1910 who were both born in Kirkby in Ashfield. In 1901 Herbert, a locomotive stoker (Midland Railway), and Sarah were living at Furlong Terrace, Middle Furlong Street, Meadows, with their sons Bert (7) and Harold (2). The family had moved to 19 St Thomas Avenue, East Kirkby by 1911. All five children were in the home on the night of the census: Bert, a colliery pony driver below ground (Butterley Colliery Co.), Harold, Leonard (9), Florrie (2) and Ethel (8 months). Sarah Ann died in 1913 and her husband married again in 1921. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Herbert, who had retired from work, his wife Elizabeth (b. 1889) and their son Donald (b. 1921) were living on Upper David Street, Kirkby in Ashfield. Herbert died in 1948, the probate record gave his address as 2 Padstow Road, Bestwood Estate, Nottingham; administration awarded to his widow Elizabeth. In 1939 2 Padstow Road was the home of his daughters, Ethel Pinder and Florrie Butler, and Florrie's husband John (m. 1938). Herbert was buried in Southern Cemetery, West Bridgford, with his parents Overton and Helen Pinder (also his children Ethel and Donald). Harold's brother Bert attested in Mansfield on 30 December 1914. He was 21 years 10 months old and working as a carter. He joined the RHA/RFA (63538) at Newcastle but was discharged on 16 January 1915, 'not likely to become an efficient soldier (medically unfit).' Bert was discharged to 19 Thomas Avenue, Kirkby in Ashfield.
'K' Special Company Royal Engineers Special Companies Royal Engineers: www.longlongtrail.co.uk. The Special Companies at the start of the war (extract): ‘The Special Companies of the Royal Engineers were formed to develop the British response [to the German’s first use of chlorine gas in April 1915]' www.reubique.com. Special Brigade, Royal Engineers, Order of Battle in the Great War of 1914-1918 (extract): ‘1916 3rd Bn ‘K’ Company Sections 55-60. Companies "A" through "Q" in the 1st through 4th Battalions were cylinder companies consisting of 7 officers, 12 non-commissioned officers and 206 other ranks for a total of 225 all ranks.’ Harold enlisted at Hucknall on 8 September 1914 giving his age as 18 years 250 days although his birth was registered in 1898 (O/N/D) and he was 12 years old at the time of the 1911 Census. He was 5' 6" tall, weighed 125½.lbs and working as a coal miner. He was posted to No. 1 Depot RFA (21088) and joined at Newcastle. He was drafted to BEF France in 1915 and transferred to the Royal Engineers on 18 July 1916, authorisation Army Order V (9 June 1916). Harold was granted leave to the UK from 22 January 1917-1 February 1917 and again from 6 December 1917-20 December 1917. He was admitted to hospital (no date available) but joined the Depot Special Base from hospital on 23 January 1918 and joined 'K' Special Coy. from the Depot on 27 January. He was subsequently on two charges. On 1 February 1918 he was charged with being in bed one hour after reveille and awarded 3 days CB [confined to barracks] (open arrest) and on 27 April was charged with having a dirty rifle on parade and awarded three days CC [confined cells] (open arrest). Harold was killed in action (gas) three weeks later on 20 May 1918. He was buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France (grave ref. III.D.35). Qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France (extract): Philosophe lies between Bethune and Lens. 'The cemetery was started in August 1915. In 1916 it was taken over by the 16th (Irish) Division, who held the Loos Salient at the time, and many of their dead were brought back to the cemetery from the front line. Succeeding divisions used the cemetery until October 1918, and men of the same Division, and often the same battalion, were buried side by side. After the Armistice, this cemetery was one of those used for the concentration of isolated graves from the Loos battlefield. The bodies of 41 men of the 9th Black Watch were brought from positions a little West of Loos, and those of 340 officers and men of other Regiments from different points in the communes of Cambrin, Auchy, Vermelles, Halluch and Loos.' 1196 Commonwealth burials. (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC: Aged 19 at date of death. 'Son of Herbert Overton Pinder, of 19, St. Thomas Avenue, East Kirkby, Nottingham. Native of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottingham.' CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Though time flies by we miss him still'
