Harold Austin Flint
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold Austin was born in 1883 and although the 1911 Census gave his place of birth as Nottingham his birth was recorded in the Bingham registration district (O/N/D). His widow completed a form for the army in 1922 naming her husband's surviving blood relatives - herself and two children - but answered 'none' to parents and siblings. However, a letter dated 1922 from Harold's father ('H Flint') to the Infantry Record Office was filed in Harold's service documents. (See 'Extra information') Harold married Kate (née Elms b. Melbourne Derbyshire 1881) at Nottingham Register Office on 4 January 1913. However, in 1911 they were living as man and wife at 43 Coalpit Lane, Nottingham. Harold (27) was a stone polisher in the printing trade and they had one son, Thomas Michael born Melbourne 20 March 1909. Harold completed the census form with the information that he and Kate had been married for seven years (c. 1904) and had had four children of whom only one survived. Including the record of Thomas' birth, there were three other births registered in Shardlow Derbyshire, and also recorded as 'Flint, mother's maiden name Elms': Lavinia Elsie b. 1905 bap. Melbourne St Michael November 1905 d. 1906 (reg. J/F/M), Catherine Marjorie b. 1907 d. 1907 and Henry b. 1910 d. 1910. Lavinia's baptismal record shows that Harold was a labourer and that he and Kate were living at New Yard [Melbourne]. Harold and Kate had a second son, Harold Henry Flint, who was born in Nottingham on 6 November 1914. The family later lived at 6 Parker's Row, Hall Street, Sherwood, Nottingham. Kate married Francis Felstead in 1917 (J/A/S) and by 1922 they were living at 8 Bombay Street, St Ann's, Nottingham. They were still living at the same address in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled.
There is a record that Harold Austin joined the Militia (4th Bn Derbyshire Regiment) on 8 June 1901, he was aged 17 years 8 months, living in Sneinton and employed by a printer on Middle Pavement, Nottingham. He completed annual training each year between 1902 and 1906 and was discharged time expired on 7 June 1907. Harold attested 12 December 1915 under Lord Derby's Scheme weighing 112 lbs and standing 5' 4". He was placed in the reserve and mobilised 12 June 1916. He was posted 16 September 1916 to 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment and to 2nd Battalion 28 September 1916. 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (25th Brigade 8th Division), a regular army unit, had fought at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge and Loos. On July 1st 1916 the 2nd Lincolns attacked Ovillers across Mash Valley a wide expanse of No Man's land offering little cover. The division suffered 5,121 casualties. Harold Flint and other conscripts were posted to compensate for the battalion's losses on July 1st. On October 23rd 1916 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment was in trenches near Les Boeufs. Although as a Private Flint is not named, the manner of his death becomes clear from the battalion's war diary (WO95/1730/2). 'At daybreak the battalion took up assembly positions in trenches dug night before by 2R Berks immediately behind front line trenches previously occupied. 2.30 pm the Bn assaulted Zenith Trench in 4 lines. The front 2 lines were composed of 'W'+'Z' Coys, 'W' on right 'Z' on left. 'Y'+'X' Coys formed 2nd two lines to support 'W'+'Z' Coys respectively. The 2/Middlesex were on our right and the 2/Rifle Brigade on our left. Zero Hour which should have been 11.30 am was postponed to 2.30 pm owing to fog. At about 1.45 the enemy could be seen working along Zenith Trench from our right evidently with the object of getting back via Eclipse Trench but owing to it being blocked they were unable to do so. This caused them to be very thick at our objective. At Zero Hour the Bn assaulted following the creeping barrage as close as possible... As soon as the Bn started to assault a very gallant German officer ran down his own parapet and got his men up up and stopped us by rapid rifle fire. 'X'+'Y' Coys immediately pushed on to support but suffered very heavily from machine gun fire and only a small portion of 'W'+'Y' Coys on the right managed to enter the German trench with the Middlesex who had captured their objective with very slight loss and the Rifle Brigade on our left did not take their objective. The Bn was collected and then proceeded back to Rose Trench in Brigade Support.' 2nd Lincolnshire's losses for this operation were 23 killed, 129 wounded and 120 (including Harold Flint) missing. Harold's death, 'officially regarded' as occurring on 23 October 1916, was confirmed in August the following year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 1-C). Harold qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 20 August 1917: ‘Flint. Missing October 23rd, 1916, now reported killed in action, Harold, Lincolnshire Regt., the loving husband of Kate Flint, late Hall-street, Sherwood, RIP. Silently mourned by wife and two children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Flint Harold Austin of Parker’s-row Hall-street Sherwood Nottingham private in HM Army died 23 October 1916 in France. Administration Nottingham 5 February to Kate Felstead (wife of Francis Felstead). Effects £295 7s. 1d. 23/2/1922 Flint's father wrote to the War Office that his son 'was reported missing 23/10/1916 and I was sent word some months later presumed dead. Now I have lost that letter and I want to withdraw a few shillings he had in the Post Office Bank I am unable to do so, so if you would kindly confirm it for me you will do me a great favour.' The Infantry Record Office at Litchfield replied on 28 March 1922 to Mr H Flint c/o Mr Stapleton 1 Pleasant Place, Millstone Lane, Nottingham: ‘I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23rd. inst., and in reply beg to inform you that application for the particulars you require should be made to the Widow to whom all particulars of the death available were furnished.’ 10/2/1922 Kate Felstead acknowledged receipt of her late husband's Memorial Scroll from the Lincolnshire Regiment and requested another 'as there is two children and it will be one for each.' Research by David Nunn
