Harry Holgate 23301

[Matt 71]

Morning a friend asked if I could help out about her Grandads Cousin Pte Harry (Henry) Holgate 1st Lancashire Fusiliers, he was killed in action on the 1st July 1916, he was buried a Thiepval memorial. We have some things from the local paper, medal index  and also The Burnley roll of Honour but she would like to know some more if possible. I think he was killed on the first day of The Somme but was wondering if he may have been to Gallipoli earlier in his military career or if he joined later than this?

Thanks for any info,  I didn’t know if I can post the newspaper articles

Edited 6 November , 2023 by Matt 71

[Terry_Reeves]

Matt

He was only entitled to the British War and Victory medals which rules out Gallipoli.

TR

[Allan1892]

On the 1st July 1916 (first day of the Battle of the Somme), the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers were involved in the attack of Beaumont-Hamel from North-East of Auchonvillers.

A quick look at the battalion's war diaries shows that on the 1st July, the casualties were very high, 21 Officers and 508 Other Ranks.

A look at the CWGC site brings up the names of 149 men of the 1st Battalion that were killed.

[charlie962]

Findmypast have transcribed a BRC/StJohns enquiry that adds platoon and Company. This may aid following events in detail that day.

Harry Holgate in 1916

British Red Cross & Order Of St John Enquiry List, Wounded & Missing, 1914-1919

Great Britain

First name(s) Harry

Last name Holgate

Soldier number 23301

Platoon/section XIII

Company D

Battalion 1

Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers

Year 1916

Date reported missing or wounded 01/07/1916

Missing or wounded details Unoff. W. and M. July 1/16.

Enquiry date 07/09/1916 

 

Edit... There is also an ICRC enquiry but it adds nothing new.

Edited 6 November , 2023 by charlie962

[charlie962]

A near number 23314 Cookson attested Short Service (duration of the war) 26/8/15 and joined depot at Bury a couple of days later. Another couple of days and posted to 3rd Bn.

Similar sort of results for other 'near numbers'.

So unlikely he would have completed training and been ready to go overseas before 1916. 

Edit .. but close. Rudd 23334 who attested same time as Holgate managed to land Balkans 2b theatre with 9th LF on 26/12/15.

 

Edited 6 November , 2023 by charlie962

[BarbaraG]

WFA Pension Records includes some details for family.

Newspaper entry you referred to (?) Burnley Express Wednesday 08 November 1916 - British Newspaper Archive.

[Allan1892]

1 hour ago, Matt 71 said:

or if he joined later than this?

Harry's entry in the Soldiers' Effects register shows that his mother received a War Gratuity of £3 which means that he had only been in the Army for 1 year when he was killed.

[charlie962]

Just now, Allan1892 said:

for 1 year

..or less. As above, he probably volunteered end August 1915.

[Matt 71]

33 minutes ago, charlie962 said:

Findmypast have transcribed a BRC/StJohns enquiry that adds platoon and Company. This may aid following events in detail that day.

Harry Holgate in 1916

British Red Cross & Order Of St John Enquiry List, Wounded & Missing, 1914-1919

Great Britain

First name(s) Harry

Last name Holgate

Soldier number 23301

Platoon/section XIII

Company D

Battalion 1

Regiment Lancashire Fusiliers

Year 1916

Date reported missing or wounded 01/07/1916

Missing or wounded details Unoff. W. and M. July 1/16.

Enquiry date 07/09/1916

So he could have been involved in The Sunken road and Geoffrey Malians film. The battle for Beaumont Hamel do you think?

[Michelle Young]

Not buried at Thiepval memorial, he has no known grave so is commemorated there. 

[Michelle Young]

The book My Bit, A Lancashire Fusilier At War by George Ashurst might be worth a look at. 

[charlie962]

The war diary for the 1st bn can be seen here at Ancestry

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/60779/images/43112_2300_1-00036?backlabel=ReturnSearchResults&queryId=11da3b67f385718e724736d2ad0ecbb3&pId=472115

[charlie962]

36 minutes ago, Matt 71 said:

So he could have been involved in The Sunken road and Geoffrey Malians film. The battle for Beaumont Hamel do you think?

War Diary appendix should be read, particularly ref D Company. 

This site gives some indication of filming

http://www.webmatters.net/index.php?id=61

[Matt 71]

Thankyou for your help much appreciated 

[AndrewSid]

He is also listed with the ICRC.  A request from his mother on whereabouts.  Her address being in Fence:       https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Search/#/3/2/224/0/British and Commonwealth/Military/Holgate.                    
 

The links above do indeed suggests that D Company were one of the two Companies moved forward to the sunken lane prior to the attack.  

Edited 6 November , 2023 by AndrewSid