Private 6396 Harry North

Killed in Action on Tuesday, 2nd February 1915, age 24.
Commemorated on Panel 47 and 49 of Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

2nd Bn., King's Shropshire Light Infantry. 80th Brigade of 27th Division.

Son of George Arthur North and stepson of Ada North, of 4, Binifield St., Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Bilston, Enlisted: Shrewsbury, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 21st December 1914.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/919107/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Harry North registered December quarter 1889 in Wolverhampton.

1901 Census
19 Bath Street, Wolverhampton, Staffs.
George A. North (38, Pork Butcher, born Wolverhampton), his wife Mary (37, born Oldbury), and their 2 children: Annie M. (15, born Bilston), and Harry (10, born Bilston).

1911 Census
74 Bell Lane, Bloxwich, Walsall, Staffs.
George North (47, Widower, Journeyman Butcher, born Wolverhampton), and his 2 children: Harry (21, Colliery Labourer - above ground, born Bilston), and Annie Williamson (25, Married, Housekeeper, born Bilston), and her son Charlie Williamson (3, born Wolverhampton). Annie's husband was absent, he was Charlie Williamson (25, Soldier, born Manchester).

Personal Data

Harry's Medal Index Card shows his Soldier's Number as SR/6396 meaning he was a Special Reservist. Special Reservists signed-up for 6 years with the commitment to call-up in the event of general mobilisation. Initially they received a period of 6 month's full-time training with pay, and then an annual period of 3 to 4 weeks training.

Harry would have been called up in August or September and after a period of refresher training, landed in France on 22nd December 1914.

Action resulting in his death

Still to be researched. Contact me if required.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.