Reginald Thomas Harford
- Family History
- Military History
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He was the son of Charles and Sarah Harford, and the husband of May Alicia (née Antony) Harford of 59 Prospect Drive Shirebrook Mansfield. Reginald and Mary married in 1903 had 5 children: - Reginald (1904) Lillian (1906) James (1903) Cyril (1911) and Kate (1913). They lived at 8 Central Drive Shirebrook. In the 1911 census Reginald is living at 30 Trafalgar Road, Beeston, Nottingham and shown as :- - Reginald T Harford, boarder, 30, married, clerk stores, telephone worker, born Broadclyst Devon (near Exeter); The army register of soldiers effects show his will was made out in favour of wife May Alicia and effects were 11 shillings and 1 pence, 24/9/1915; War Gratuity - £3 - 6/11/1919; On 11 October 1915 - Pension granted to widow and five children, of 24 shillings and 6 pence a week; In 1919 his medals were sent to his widow by now living at 59 prospect Drive,Mansfield The army form AFW 5080 , sent in following the death of the deceased , showing his relatives gives details as :- Widow - May Alicia; Children - Reginald; Lilian; Arthur; Cyril; Kathleen; - living at Colonade Shirebrook; Father - deceased; Mother - Sarah Harford, 8 Mouhntwinham, Exeter; Brother - Major C E Harford, Royal Horse Guards, London; Frederick Henry; Arthur; Corporal Major W J Harford, 2nd Life Guards Windsor; Sister- Mrs Simmonds, Exeter;
7539 Private Reginald Thomas Harford enlisted on 28 September 1914 into the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). He had previously served in the Devonshire Regiment and was time expired. On enlistment into Sherwood Foresters, he was 33 years 227 days old and 6 feet 2 inches tall; He listed next of kin as - wife May, married in 1903; children - Reginald (1904) Lillian (1906) James (1903) Cyril (1911) and Kate (1913). They lived at 8 Central Drive Shirebrook; He was posted to the 1st battalion in France on 17 December 1914 in a draft of 112 other ranks. On 4 January 1915 he was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal and this was converted to paid but temporary Lance Corporal on 20 January; The battalion took part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and on 12th March 1915 the Germans advanced in overwhelming numbers, forcing the right flank to retire. The battalion inflicted heavy losses on the enemy before retiring to the support trench, 150 yards to the rear. The enemy continued its advance in great numbers but were thrown into disorder by the deeds of Private Rivers (Victoria Cross for this action) and through counter attacks and charges which regained the former trenches. By 7 am the battalion had recovered all of the ground lost and were back in their former front line. At 3 pm, the battalion suffered a few casualties from the British artillery. At 9 pm, the battalion vacated its front line and set up a new defensive line in the support trench. Reginald was one of some 100 men, including Private Rivers VC, killed during the day. Reginald has no known grave and is commemorate don the Le Touret Memorial France;
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