Information about birth

Year of birth:
1883
Place of birth:
Burnley, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

General information

Last known residence:
5 Richard Street, Burnley, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
Profession:
Weaver

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
36723
Enlistment date:
28/07/1916
Enlistment place:
Preston, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Leicestershire Regiment, 9th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
01/10/1917
Place of death:
Joist Farm, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
34

Memorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel: 51

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Harry Pollard was born in Burnley, Lancashire, in 1883. His mother was Mary Pollard (born Redman). His father, John Thomas Pollard was a cotton weaver, Harry Pollard would follow in his father's footsteps. Harry Pollard had three brothers and a sister. He lived and worked in Burnley, where he married Emily Blythe in 1907. They had a son, Harold in 1909. Harry was called up for service in Preston, Lancashire, on 28 July 1916. He was assigned to the East Lancashire Regiment, 10th (Reserve) Battalion. In January 1917, Harry was transferred to the Leicestershire Regiment, 9th Battalion. In April, he was diagnosed with muscle pain and admitted to a field hospital. In June 1917, he rejoined his battalion.

On the night of 29-30 September 1917, the 9th Leicesters took over positions recently captured by Australian troops at Polygon Wood; these positions consisted of shell holes and German bunkers. The 9th Battalion was between Polygon Wood and Joist farm. On 1 October around 4.40 am, German artillery shelled Harry's Battalion's positions. After 40 minutes, the artillery fire stopped and the first wave of German troops attacked from Cameron Covert. A smoke screen in front of the lines was supposed to cover the German infantry's advance. However, the Germans suffered heavy losses from machine-gun and rifle fire and had to retreat. The second wave managed to penetrate the lines on the left flank, by which time SOS signals were sent out all along the front. To relieve the flanks, the 9th Battalion launched a counterattack on Joist Farm to buy time for reinforcements to arrive. This counterattack repulsed the second German attack. At 9.30 am, reinforcements arrived. German artillery continued shelling Polygon Wood throughout the day and deployed aircraft to escort the artillery. The battalion was relieved at 11pm on 5 October 1917 by the 9th battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Harry Pollard, 34, was killed on 1 October 1917. No grave of Harry is known to date and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Files 2

Newspaper Article

"Missing after an action” (Burnley, Burnley Express, 24/11/1917).

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Sources 5

"Missing after an action” (Burnley, Burnley Express, 24/11/1917).
Sources used
9 Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 95/2165/2).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used
Richardson M., The Tigers : 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th (Service) battalions of the Leicestershire Regiment (Barnsley, Leo Cooper, 2000).
Sources used
War Office: Soldiers’ Documents, First World War (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 363).
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
Sources used

More information 3