Harold Ormerod

Corporal 1527
1st/7th Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers

The Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour Register records that Harold Ormerod died on 27 October 1915.

He is commemorated on Special Memorial C. 34. in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, near Krithia, in the Helles area of the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.

The 1st/7th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers was formed in August 1914 in Salford, and became part of Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade, East Lancs Division.

On 25 September 1914 the Division landed in Egypt, and on 5 May 1915 it was landed on Gallipoli.

From 26 May 1915 the formation became 125th Brigade, 42nd Division.

The 42nd (East Lancashire) Division made three notable attempts to break out of the Helles bridgehead and capture the dominating heights around the village of Krithia. These attacks took place on 6-8 May (in which only the Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade of the Division took part), 4 June and 6-13 August.

By mid August the East Lancashire Division, through battle casualties and sickness, was down to little more than one third of its normal establishment.

In British Regiments at Gallipoli Ray Westlake describes the movements and activities of 1st/7th (T.F.) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, from January 1915 until the end of the Gallipoli campaign.

The entries from January 1915 until the the end of October 1915 are shown below.

"JANUARY

Cairo, Egypt. Part of Lancashire Fusiliers Brigade, East Lancashire Division which became 125th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division in May.

Sailed Nile for Gallipoli (1st). Landed "W" Beach (5th) and moved to area between Gully Ravine and the sea above Gully Beach. Second Battle of Krithia: In support of attack by 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers (6th). Moved forward through captured line (7th) but forced to retire after 2 attempts (10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) to take Gurkha Bluff. Relieved and to "W" Beach at sundown. Moved to bivouacs near ruined fort just inland from Morto Bay (8th). To front line Krithia Road sector (11th). Relieved and to Eski Line (16th). To support trenches Krithia Nullah (29th).

To front line Krithia Nullah (4th). Engaged in fighting around junction of East and West Krithia Nullahs. Relieved and to support line (11th). Casualties - 179. To front line (20th), Redoubt Line (23rd), support (26th), front line (29th).

JULY

To support line (2nd), front line (5th), Eski Line (7th). Sailed for Imbros (8th). To Cape Helles (13th) and moved forward to Redoubt Line in support. Took over front line east of Krithia Nullah (16th). To Redoubt Line (19th), Eski Line (22nd), Redoubt Line (27th), front line Achi Baba Nulla (30th).

AUGUST

To Redoubt Line (4th), front line Krithia Road (7th). Took part in attack on The Vineyard. Objectives taken and held against numerous counter attacks. Position consolidated and improved on western side. Relieved and to No 2 Australian Line (9th). War Diary notes the men as being "thoroughly worn out" and that out of a strength of 410 N.C.O.s and men, only 139 returned. To Eski Line (12th), reserve line, Gully Ravine (19th), front line, Gully Ravine (21st). Relieved and to Gully Beach (22nd).

SEPTEMBER

To front line west of Gully Ravine (1st), Gully Beach (18th), Gully Spur (24th).

OCTOBER

To Gully Beach (1st), reserve line, Gully Ravine (15th), front line east and west of Gully Ravine (18th). Enemy mine blown at Crawley's Crater (29th) - several men buried. Relieved and to Geogheghan's Bluff. Temporally [sic] amalgamated with 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers due to casualties and sickness."

Harold is buried in the Geoghegan's Bluff Plot of Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, though his exact resting place is unknown, and he is commemorated on a Special Memorial within this plot.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database notes that Harold was killed in action on 27 October 1915. He is recorded as having been born in Rochdale, living in Eccles, and having enlisted in the Army in Salford.

Further research has revealed that Harold was the son of George and Clara Ormerod, of Spotland, Lancashire.

From the Battalion War Diary it would appear that Harold was killed by a Turkish shell, whilst the Turks were attempting to silence a machine gun within the British lines. One other soldier was killed and one wounded by the shell.

	Harold's grave in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery
	The Geoghegan's Bluff Plot in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery