Harry Augustus Bland
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Henry Augustus was born in 1898 in Wollaton and was the son of William Henry an explosive storekeeper in a coal mine and Emily Bland née Davis of Wollaton, Nottingham. His father William was born in 1856 in Nottingham and his mother was born in 1862 in Wollaton; their marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district in 1879. They had a total of 9 children, however sadly one died in infancy prior to 1911. Their surviving children were: - George H b1880, Edith Emily b1882, Florence b1886, Albert b1888, Ethel Lily b1891, Basil Claude b1893, Wilfred Edgar b1896 and Henry Augustus b1898. All the children were born in Wollaton. In the 1911 census the family are living in Wollaton and are shown as William Henry 55 yrs head of the family an explosives store keeper in a coal mine, he is living with his wife Emily 49 yrs and their children, Edith Emily 29 yrs, Ethel Lily 20 yrs, Basil Claude 18 yrs a colliery clerk, Wilfred Edgar 15 yrs a student, and Henry Augustus 13 yrs a scholar.
Harry Augustus Bland attested on 13th February 1916 at Nottingham. He gave his address as Wollaton and his age as 18 yrs 269 days, his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as William Henry Bland of Wollaton, his father. On 16th February 1916 he was placed into the reserves. He was mobilised on 18th May 1916 and posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery Depot on 20th May 1916. He finally joined the 220th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery on 20th September 1916. It was with his battery that he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on 25th December 1916. He was admitted to the 6th Casualty clearing station at which he died from his wounds on 22nd September 1917. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery (grave ref Vlll.C.4). He had served for 1 year and 220 days. His brother, 51032 Gunner Basil Claude Bland, Royal Garrison Artillery 56th Siege Bty, died 7 April 1917 aged 24.
Extract from the 'Nottingham Evening Post,' dated 22nd September 1919: - “BLAND. – In loving remembrance of Harry Augustus and Basil Claude the dearly-loved sons of W. H. and E. Bland, Wollaton, died of wounds Sept. 22nd and April 7th, 1917, respectively. Fond memories keep our loved ones near us. – From mother, father, brothers, and sisters.” The personal inscription on the CWGC headstone reads, 'Faithful unto death'. Above extract courtesy of Jim Grundy and face book pages from Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
