Private HARRY KERSLEY

Harry Kersley, the son of Joseph, an agricultural labourer, and Charlotte, was born in Up Street, North Warnborough in 1872[1].   In 1881 the family at home consisted of his widowed mother, a laundress, Harry, three of his brothers, Edward, Joseph Albert and Charles and his sister Elizabeth[2].  Over the next thirty years Harry worked as a general labourer.

 The date of his enlistment to the 11th (Service) Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment in Winchester is uncertain.  This Battalion was formed at Winchester in September 1914 as part of K2, the Second New Army.  In December 1914 this became the Pioneer Battalion of the 16^th Division, but it was not until December 1915 that it was mobilised for entering the France and Flanders theatre of war on the Western Front via Le Havre.  

Harry was reported missing in the Ro;; of Honour listing in the June 1916 edition of The Hampshire Regimental Journal[3].   It was not until November 1916 that the notification that he ‘had met his death while engaged in mine-laying’ was received[4].

Harry is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.  He does not appear to have been awarded any medals.