Name
Harold David Joad
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/01/1917
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
25196
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL
VI.D.42
France
Headstone Inscription
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
UK & Other Memorials
Kimpton Village Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Kimpton, Not on the Weston memorials, We are not aware of any Ansell's End, memorial
Pre War
Harold David Joad was born in Weston in 1896, the son of Charles and Annie Joad and one of three children. He was baptised in Weston on 22 March 1896.
His father was the schoolmaster in Weston in the 1890s, but sadly died when Harold was a few months old and is buried at Weston. His mother later remarried to George Desborough in 1907.
On the 1911 Census Harold was living with his stepfather George and mother Annie, at Ansells End, Kimpton, Welwyn, Herts and was a scholar. His stepfather was a farmer and pig dealer.
Wartime Service
Harold enlisted in Bedford and served with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in France. The Battalion arrived in France in July 1916 and took part in the Battle of the Ancre in November.
He was killed in action at Forceville, Somme, France on 28 January 1917 and is buried in Ancre British Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His mother Annie Desborough received a war gratuity of £3 10s and pay owing of £4 16s 10d. She was granted probate of his estate in London on 23 June 1917 with effects of £140 14s 5d. No pension records have been found.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Peter Handy, www.bedfordregiment.org.uk.
