Lt Col
Harry Moorhouse
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1869 |
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Place of birth: Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Woollen Manufacturer |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Lieutenant Colonel |
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Service number: / |
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Enlistment date: 19/14 |
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Units: — King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 1/4th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 09/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Fleet Cottage, 's Graventafel, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 48 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 108 |
Distinctions and medals 7
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Distinguished Service Order (DSO) Medal — 12/04/1915 |
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Mentioned in Despatches Honourable mentioning |
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Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur (FR) Medal |
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Territorial Decoration (TD) Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 1
| #1 | Place of birth |
My story
Prior to the First World War, Harry Moorhouse served in the South African War (1901-1902).
Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Moorhouse served in the 1st/4th battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI), part of the 148th Brigade of the 49th Division. Before coming to Flanders in 1917, Harry was wounded in August 1915 and again in July 1916, but on each occasion he returned to his unit.
His battalion participated in the Battle of Poelcapelle on the 9th of October 1917, where he was Major and acting Lieutenant-Colonel. On the 7th of October, the battalion received its orders for the attack where it would be in reserve. At 12.15 a.m. the battalion, led by Harry Moorhouse moved up from the old German front line (Banks Farm) to the assembly position. The night was intensely dark, the track was in bad repair and the progress was consequently slow. Before the 1st/4th Bn. could close up to their assembly position, the enemy put a heavy barrage on the ridge which had to be crossed, causing delay and numerous casualties.
When the division's assault troops were held up by heavy fire, the 4th KOYLI were ordered forward in support. The whole 148th Brigade was now in one line. They advanced up a long slope and came under fire from Wolf Copse and Bellevue. Roland Moorhouse, who by now was a captain in his father's battalion, advanced with his company on the first objective, between Marsh Bottom and Waterfields (South of the road between ’s Graventafel and Mosselmarkt). Captain Ronald Moorhouse was mortally wounded at the head of his men. A short time later, Harry was shot by a sniper, as he left his headquarters to try and find medical help for his son. The attack broke down and the troops were forced to return to their original starting positions. Their remains were never recovered and Captain R. Moorhouse and Lieutenant Colonel H. Moorhouse are now both commemorated by name on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Moorhouse served in the 1st/4th battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI), part of the 148th Brigade of the 49th Division. Before coming to Flanders in 1917, Harry was wounded in August 1915 and again in July 1916, but on each occasion he returned to his unit.
His battalion participated in the Battle of Poelcapelle on the 9th of October 1917, where he was Major and acting Lieutenant-Colonel. On the 7th of October, the battalion received its orders for the attack where it would be in reserve. At 12.15 a.m. the battalion, led by Harry Moorhouse moved up from the old German front line (Banks Farm) to the assembly position. The night was intensely dark, the track was in bad repair and the progress was consequently slow. Before the 1st/4th Bn. could close up to their assembly position, the enemy put a heavy barrage on the ridge which had to be crossed, causing delay and numerous casualties.
When the division's assault troops were held up by heavy fire, the 4th KOYLI were ordered forward in support. The whole 148th Brigade was now in one line. They advanced up a long slope and came under fire from Wolf Copse and Bellevue. Roland Moorhouse, who by now was a captain in his father's battalion, advanced with his company on the first objective, between Marsh Bottom and Waterfields (South of the road between ’s Graventafel and Mosselmarkt). Captain Ronald Moorhouse was mortally wounded at the head of his men. A short time later, Harry was shot by a sniper, as he left his headquarters to try and find medical help for his son. The attack broke down and the troops were forced to return to their original starting positions. Their remains were never recovered and Captain R. Moorhouse and Lieutenant Colonel H. Moorhouse are now both commemorated by name on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Ronald Wilkinson Moorhouse
Father and son |
Sources 3
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1/4 Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2806/1 ). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303 Further reference |
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Bond R.C., The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the Great War, (London, Percy Lund, Humphries & co. LTD, 1929), pg. 898-899. Sources used |
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McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 107-108. Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/831355 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=56ce9a93-9990-486d-b099-b6a52a406920 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/3109880 |