Name
Harold Arthur Draper
1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/01/1915
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
1193
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
'H' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
I. K. 51.
France
Headstone Inscription
"TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LOVE IS NOT TO DIE"
UK & Other Memorials
Hoddesdon and Rye Park Town Memorial, Hoddesdon, St Catherine and St Paul’s Church Memorial, Hoddesdon, Hoddesdon Congregational Church Memorial, now in Broxbourne United Reformed Church, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Harold Arthur DRAPER was born in 1888 in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, son of Henry William Draper a Builders Surveyor and Emily Elizabeth Draper (nee Phillips). One of their eleven children although four died in infancy. His parents married in Ware, Herts, on 29th March 1875.
1891 Census records Harold aged 2, living with his parents, three brothers and sisters Alice (10) and Blanche (8), in High Street, Hoddesdon, Herts.
His mother Emily died on 22nd April 1894, and his father Henry died on 8th February 1898.
1901 Census records Harold (12) and his younger brother John (10) living with their widowed grandmother Harriott Draper (70) at 5 Lord Street, Hoddesdon, Herts.
In May 1909, aged 20, Harold enlisted at Hoddesdon, Herts, in the Hertfordshire Regiment (Territorial Force), issued with the service no. 1193. He served with “H” Company.
1911 Census records Harold (21), a Carpenter and Joiner. And a boarder with George and Emma Chambers at 22 Mawney Road, Romford, Essex.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of War Harold was still servicing with the Hertfordshire Regiment (Territorial Force), he volunteered for war service.
On 1st November 1914, the Battalion received orders to prepare for war service. On the 5th November 1914, they embarked aboard the SS “City of Chester” leaving at midnight, they arrived at Le Havre, France, the following day the 6th, about midday, they disembarked and marched 31/2 Miles to No. 2 Rest Camp. Just five days later the Battalion was inaction at the front.
Harold was wounded in action and died of his wounds on 13th January 1915, aged 26, he is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery, France. Grave Ref; I. K. 51.
Additional Information
His effects of £8-16s-01d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £6, went to his sister Alice.
His Headstone inscription “TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LOVE IS NOT TO DIE” was requested by WO. W. F. Draper RN, HMS “Excellent” Portsmouth. (His brother).
His older brother William Frederick Phillips Draper served as a Warrant Officer in the Royal Navy and survived the war.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox, Jonty Wild
