Harold Slaney
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold Slaney was born in 1896 in Hucknall and he was the son of Edward a life insurance superintendent and Eliza Slaney née Towle of 6 Portland Road Hucknall Torkard Nottinghamshire. His father Edward was born in 1864 in Birmingham and his mother Eliza Towle was born in 1866 in Hucknall, they were married in 1886 their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration District, they went on to have children, sadly three were to die in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children were all born in Hucknall and were Eveline b1890, John Howard b1893 and Harold b1896. In the 1911 census the family are shown living at 6 Portland Road, Hucknall and are shown as Edward 47 yrs a life insurance superintendent, he is living with his wife Eliza 45 yrs and their children Eveline 21 yrs an insurance clerk, John Howard 18 yrs a tailors apprentice and Harold 15 yrs a boot shop assistant
Lance Corporal Harold Slaney, enlisted in February 1915 at Hucknall and served with 10th Battalion Rifle Brigade. He landed in France on 22nd July 1915 and he was killed in action on 18th September 1916. He is buried in the Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs.
Extract from an article published 5th October 1916 in the Hucknall Dispatch :- “The fourth soldier of the above list is Rifleman Harold Slaney, concerning whose fate there appears to be little doubt, judging by the letter from his corporal printed below. He was the son of Mr. E. Slaney, of Portland road, the well-known and respected superintendent of the Britannic Assurance Company, to whom and to Mrs. Slaney, and other members of the family, much sympathy is extended in the loss of their brave son. Harold, who was a fine, well-built fellow of 6ft., had many friends locally, and his business aptitude gave promise of a very successful career. He had risen to the position of manager of the Public Benefit Boot Stores, High street, Hucknall, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of his firm. The fallen soldier was in the King's Royal Rifles, enlisting in February, 1915, and crossed the Channel in the following July, so he was on active service for nearly 15 months. He wrote in cheerful terms of his new life, and there can be no doubt that he died a hero's death being buried by earth disturbed by one of the enemy's shells, as the following letter shows: “Dear Mr. Slaney, It is with much regret I inform you of the death of your son Harold. He was buried by a shell, and I am sorry to say we were unable to save him. Your son was very much liked by all who knew him, and we all send our deepest sympathy in your great loss. I am sorry to say I could not get any of his belongings, as he was so deeply buried. It was always his wish for me to do so and send them to you. “Yours sincerely, Corp. HULETT. Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
