Harry Ormerod

Harry Ormerod

Private 36860
7th Bn, East Lancashire Regt

Harry Ormerod was the son of George Ormerod, of 107 Higher Antley St, Accrington.

At the time of the 1901 Census, Harry can be found living with his family, at 6 Lydia St, Accrington. Their details, as recorded on the Census, are as follows.

Andrew can be found on the 1901 Census, living with his parents and siblings at 6 Murray St, Burnley. Their details are recorded as follows.

Dwelling:	6 Lydia St
Census Place:	Accrington, Lancashire, England
Source:	PRO Ref RG13; Piece 3859; Folio 123; Page 7

			Marr	Age	Sex	Birthplace
George ORMEROD	`		M	29	M	Lancs Lowerhouses
	Rel: Occ:	Head Labourer at Iron Works (Worker)
Caroline E. ORMEROD			M	29	F	Lancs Rochdale
	Rel: Occ:	Wife Cotton Weaver (Worker)
Harry ORMEROD			S	4	M	Lancs Accrington
	Rel:	Son
Emma THRELFALL			S	53	F	Lancs Accrington
	Rel: Occ:	Aunt Cotton Weaver C. Wear (Worker)

Harry was killed on 14 June 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

At the time of Harry's death the 7th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment was attached to the 56th Brigade, IX Corps, and was part of 19th (Western Division).

The Battalion had been involved in the Battle of Messines (the first stage of the Third Battle of Ypres), and had been in the line near Wytschaete.

The Battalion War Diary of 7th Bn, East Lancashire Regiment records:

"CURRAGH CAMP 06/06/17

Final inspection

8.15 PM Moved off for Assembly. Companies at 100 yds interval in single file.

Assembly complete by midnight without any losses by enemy fire.

When in place dispositions were A and B Coys in the Support Line with A Coy on the right. C and D Coys in Assembly trenches 50 yds further back. C Coy on the right. Headquarters in S.P.7.

Casualties 2 O. Ranks killed. Instructions for the offensive attached.

NR CARRE BOIS (PLAN ATTACHED) 07/06/17 3.10 AM

Mines in neighbourhood fired. Artillery and Machine Gun Barrage open simultaneously. King’s Own went ahead.

The 4 Coys follows at 3.30 AM. It was still dark and with the vast clouds of dust and the smoke from the shells, keeping direction was difficult.

The Red Line was reached simultaneously with the King’s Own and the advance was continued to the Blue Line. There was little opposition so the barrage was too slow for the men, some of whom were hit in attempting to pass through our barrage to follow up the retiring enemy. On the BLUE LINE a gap in the ranks had developed on the right. During the 2 hours wait this was rectified.

Connection between A and B Coys was difficult at this stage as a Howitzer was persistently firing short and the Artillery Liaison Officers powerless to stop it for two reasons.

1. Difficulty of communication to the rear

2. Difficulty in locating the offending Battery

The green line was attained and the 4 Coys dug in. The position of the line, which had to be sited by a German dump in ONRAET WOOD and EVANS FARM was excellently taken up by the Company Commanders.

A narrow irregular trench was dug and wire was put up. Great quantities of material were at hand from the German dump and consolidation proceeded apace.

3.10 PM Took over the BLACK LINE from 8TH NORTH STAFFORDS. Consolidated LINE. All quiet. CASULATIES Captn H. REDDEN M.C. and Lt H.E. RIDGWAY KILLED. 2/LT H.R. HOLNESS - 2/LT G. ALLEN and L.G. KITCHEN WOUNDED.

08/06/17 6 PM Took over MAUVE LINE from 10TH WORCESTERS. S.O.S. went up from Front Line and we were intermittently shelled. Consolidated.

09/06/17 Consolidated MAUVE LINE

10/06/17 10 PM Moved back. A and B Coys to Green Line. C and D Coys to Blue Line.

Headquarters in ONRAET FARM. S.O.S. from Front Line then, all quiet.

11/06/17 All quiet

12/06/17 11 PM Took over Front Line from King’s Own. D Coy in front line. C Coy in immediate support and A and B Coys in support.

13/06/17 Enemy shell-fire heavy. LT J.I. SPICER - WOUNDED.

14/06/17 Enemy shell-fire heavy. Raid by 6 platoons under Lt C.H. Bracewell - VERHAEGE FARM cleared.

15/06/17 11 PM Relieved by 10TH WORCESTERS and Battalion moved to BIRR BARRACKS NR LOCRE.

FULL CASUALTIES during these operations. Officers 2 killed 4 wounded.

O. Ranks 25 killed

10 died of wounds

159 wounded

3 missing"

Harry has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres (Panel 34).

Harry is also remembered in the Greater Accrington Roll of Honour - his entry reading "ORMEROD, Pte. Harry, 36860 (7th Bn., East Lancs. Regt.); s. of George Ormerod; lived at 6 Lydia Street, Accrington; k.i.a. 14th June 1917 (20); comm. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper."

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database also notes that Harry was killed in action on 14 June 1917. The Database notes that he was born in Accrington, and it was here that he also enlisted in the Army.

	Harry's name commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres
	A map showing the area of 7th Bn, East Lancashire Regiment's attack on 7 June 1917, and their subsequent area of operations. On 14 June 1917, 7th Bn were in the front line and launched a raid to clear Verhaege Farm, to the right of the area shown on this map.