Name
Harold Wisbey
13 March 1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1915
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
8352
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 41.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Barkway Village Memorial, St Mary Magdalene Church Memorial, Barkway
Pre War
Harold Joseph Wisbey was born on 13 March 1887 in Nuthampstead, Barkway, Herts, the son of Joseph and Emily Wisbey and baptised on 13 March 1887. He was one of eleven children.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Lower End, Nuthampstead, where his father was working as an agricultural labourer. They had moved to Barley Road, Barkway by 1901, at which time 14 year old Harold was working as a farm labourer.
His regimental number of 8352 suggests he had joined the army sometime in 1906 and was recorded on the 1911 Census as a Lance Corporal with the Bedfordshire Regiment, living in barracks at Aldershot, Hants.
His parents later lived at 113 Alma Road, Ponders End, Middlesex.
Wartime Service
Harold was a serving soldier at the outbreak of war. He had enlisted in Royston and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, serving with the 1st Battalion. The Battalion was in Mullingar, Ireland and embarked on SS Oronsa, arriving at Le Havre on 16 August.
They were soon in action at the Battle of Mons from 23 August, followed by the Battles of Le Cateau, the Marne, and the Aisne in September. At some point he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion and promoted to Acting Corporal/Corporal.
Harold was listed as missing in action and death was presumed on or since 25 September 1915. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £7 and pay owing of £7 12s 1d. No pension records have been found.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Paul Johnson, Adrian Pitts
