Name
Harry Albert Piper
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/09/1916
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
2834
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AUCHONVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
II. I. 14.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Much Hadham Village Memorial
St Andrew’s Church Memorial, Much Hadham
Stone Bench Plaque, Much Hadham
Congregational Church Memorial, Hadham Cross
Pre War
Born in 1888 in Victoria Park, Hackney, Middlesex, son of Alfred Samuel and Sophia Ann Piper. His father was publican of the Waggon and Horses, Great Amwell in 1911 and later of the Bull Inn, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire where Harry was a barman. Before the war he had returned to England from Africa to become landlord of the Bull Inn, Much Hadham. At the outbreak of war, August 1914, he was the first man from Much Hadham to enlist. He joined the machine gun section of the Hertfordshire Regiment. Enlisted at Hertford on 7 Sep 1914.
Wartime Service
Harry entered France on 21 Jan 1915, appointed Lance Corporal on 23 Aug 1916 and was a machine gunner. He was killed in action on the Somme. Letter to Harold's parents from 2nd Lieut. Smallwood: He was one of the very best and most reliable of my men. He died as he lived, doing his duty and those of us out here who knew him and had worked alongside him will not forget him. On September 3rd, the British launched an attack on enemy trenches north of Ancre. The 1st Hertfordshire Regiment were in reserve. The attack failed and their trenches suffered from the German shelling. From September 12th until the end of the month, the regiment were behind the lines It is presumed that Harold was wounded or gassed during the attack on the 3rd. 1st Hertfordshire War Diary Extract September 3rd 1916: The whole night from l 1.30pm till dawn the Germans put over gas shells behind our support lines and gas helmets had to be worn.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, “Lest We Forget – Much Hadham 1914-18” by Richard Maddams (Much Hadham Forge Museum), Jonty Wild
