Harry Ormerod

Private 28817
2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment

Died on Monday, 5 March 1917.

Son of James and Elizabeth A. Ormerod, of Wallstream's, Worsthorne, Burnley, and a member of the Foxstones branch of the Ormerods.

Harry can be found on the 1901 Census, living with his parents and siblings at 2 Water St, Worsthorne. Their details are recorded as follows.

Harry enlisted in the East Lancashire Regiment in August 1916, and crossed to France in December of that year.

On 5 March 1917, 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regt, was fighting as part of 24th Brigade of the 8th Division.

The Battalion War Diary for 2nd Bn, East Lancashire Regiment, records:

"March 3rd 1917

A cold night with frost.

Notified that this was "Y" day in connection with the operation.

At 5 p.m. the Batt. Left in the following order:-

(1) HdQrs, "A" Coy, "D" Coy, less 2 L.G.’s, 3 sections under 2Lt Duffy, and less 2 platoons under 2Lt Stephenson, Battle Platoon } proceeded to LANGTON BARRACKS

(2) "C" Coy proceeded to ANDOVER thence under orders of O.C. 1 Worcestershire Regt. To line up on tapes from which at Zero hour they are to advance and take over the present front line from the 1st Worcesters.

(3) "B" Coy proceeded to ANDOVER thence under orders of O.C. 2/Northamptonshire Regt. to line up on tapes from which at Zero hour they are to advance and take over our present front line from 2nd Northamptonshire Regt.

March 4th 1917

Attack by 24th Inf Bde. with 25th Inf Bde. attacking on our right

Zero hour 5.15 am at which hour 1/Worcesters on the right and 2/Northamptons on the left assaulted the enemy trenches, PALLAS TR being the first objective and FRITZ TR the final objective.

It was a cold clear night - dawn being free from mist.

At 7.45 a.m. message received from the Brigade that all objectives had been captured. 9 a.m. Capt. Bellamy reported his Coy "B" to be on the front line - less 12 O.R. who went forward with the Northamptons.

At 10 a.m. 3 sections of "D" Coy. Ordered to proceed at once to ALDERSHOT to report at the Brigade dump.

From 7 a.m. the enemy artillery was active around LANGTON BARRACKS generally along the line of the BETHUNE ROAD.

2 p.m. At 2 p.m. ordered on telephone by the Brigade to send up "A" Coy. At once to report at "Lancaster" to O.C. 2/Northamptons.

2 p.m. Report received from O.C. "C" Coy. That his Coy., less 1 platoon reported in PALLAS TR, was holding the old front line.

4.15 p.m. Message received from 2Lt Duffy stating enemy were shelling his portion of the line fairly heavily though casualties were only three.

5 p.m. Captain Bellamy spoke on telephone with Adjut., stating he was not being very heavily shelled. Message received from Capt. Dawson "A" Coy. That he had reported to O.C. 2/Northamptons at 4 p.m.

6 p.m. Message received from Lt Duffy stating his detachment had had a rough time 4 killed and 2 wounded, shelling having been heavy and continuous.

7.30 p.m. Message from O.C. "C" Coy. (Capt. Leeson) stating his position of the line had been shelled continuously but without doing material damage or causing many casualties. Missing platoon located.

8 p.m. Orders received from the Brigade that the 1/Worcestershire R. would be relieved by 2/West York R. and 2/Devons would relieved the 2/Northamptons.

"B" and "C" Coys with detachment of "D" under 2/Lt Duffy are to continue to hold the old frontline.

"A" Coy. To report to Bde Bombing Officer at ALDERSHOT for carrying duties; orders to O.C. "A" Coy. Did not reach him (as he had left front line under orders of O.C. 2/Northamptons and passed through ALDERSHOT before he could be intercepted) until the arrival back at LANGTON BARRACKS - the Coy. Had to return immediately to ALDERSHOT.

"D" Coy. To return to LANGTON BARRACKS as soon as orders could reach the various detached parties.

"D" Coy. Were at Langton Barracks by 12.30 a.m.

March 5th 1917

Snow fell during the morning and there was a slight frost. Shelling continued throughout the night - "A" Coy. returned at 4 a.m.; Battle platoon 5 a.m.

Two platoons and 3 sections of "D" Coy. reported at ALDERSHOT at 10 a.m. for clearing battle field and carrying.

Batt. Dispositions as on 4th inst.

A much quieter morning with less artillery activity on both sides. Sick 1 O.R. Rejoins 2 O.R.

LT G.J. WEHL, 2LT G.M. MIALL, 2LT A.L. DERRY, 2LT J. STANWORTH wounded

4 p.m. At 4 p.m. guns became active and at 4.15 p.m. our guns were firing very heavily. Some rain falling about 4 p.n. - snow fast melting.

4.15 p.m. "A" Coy. and Battle platoon ordered to "stand to".

4.30 p.m. Artillery fire much less. 2 Platoons "D" Coy. returned

Orders

4.45 p.m. "A" Coy. and Battle Platoon "stood down"

At 6.45 p.m Battle platoon ordered to take rations and stores to the front line - returned at 12 M.N.

Lt Henderson relieved 2/Lt Duffy and 2 sections "D" Coy. who reported at LANGTON BARRACKS at 10.45 p.m.

At 7 p.m. "A" Coy. ordered to take rations and stores, water etc. to the front line for 2/Devons and 2/West Yorks, they returned at 1 a.m.

"D" Coy. at 7.15 p.m. were also ordered to proceed on the same work - they returned at 9.30 p.m.

"C" and "B" Coys. Have been under continuous shell fire all day - the trench they are in exceedingly badly knocked about and gives practically no protection, mud being a foot deep in many places. There is only 1 dug-out in the whole line, that occupied by O.C. "B" Coy. as his HdQrs. A fine moonlight night; with a lot of enemy shelling.

Casualties:- 4 officers LT G.J. WEHL 2LT G.M. MIALL 2LT A.L. DERRY 2LT J. STANWORTH wounded; 11 O.R. killed; 39 O.R. wounded"

Harry has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial on the Somme - Pier and Face 6C.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database notes that Harry was killed in action on 5 March 1917. The Database records that he was born and resided in Worsthorne, and enlisted in the Army in Burnley.