Born: 1894, Bradford
Died: 10 November 1917
Buried:
Address: Undercliffe Road, Eccleshill
Parents: Thomas & Lydia, nee Barker
Spouse:
Siblings: Frank, Constance, Nellie, Ronald
Occupation: Woolsorter
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Gunner
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill, Park and St Luke’s; Tyne Cot Memorial
Children:
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery
Harry Branson Greenwood
Harry Branson Greenwood was born in 1894 the
son of Thomas Branson Greenwood and Lydia
Doris, nee Barker.
In 1901 Thomas and Lydia were living at 25
Tamworth Road, Ashley de la Zouch. They had
four children - Harry Branson and Frank Barker
both in Bradford, and Constance and Nellie at
their new home.
Nellie died soon after birth but a fifth child,
Ronald, was born in 1902 and the family then
moved back to Bradford to live at Moorside
House at 285 Moorside Road.
Thomas was working as a dry soap works
manager and Harry at 17 years of age was a
student of wool sorting. The family also had a
live-in servant.
Harry enlisted on the day that war was declared
on the 4th of August 1914 with the “A” Battery
of the 246 Brigade Royal Field Artillery as
Gunner 780103.
In 1915 this Brigade came under the command
of the 17th Northern Division and they had an
initial period of trench familiarisation before
holding the front lines in the Ypres Salient.
In 1916 Harry was involved in the Somme
Offensive at the Battle of Albert and of Delville
Wood and in 1917 at the Arras Offensive at the
1st and 2nd Battle of the Scarpe.
During the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele the 26th
October to the 10th of November 1917 Harry
was killed in action on the last day. He was 23
years of age.
Harry is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial
which is the free gift in perpetuity of the Belgian
people to those who are honoured here.
He left his effects to his father Thomas who
received £14.19.3d on the 27th of April 1918
and a War Gratuity of £15.0.0d on the 12th
November 1919.
Researched and written by Jean Britteon,
to whom many thanks
We are fortunate to have some of
Harry Greenwood’s own thoughts
thanks to letters which were
passed on to the Shipley Times &
Express
Pte H Greenwood of Undercliffe
Road, Eccleshill, sent his parents
a description of life under fire in
the trenches.
‘It was a bit weird going into the
trenches during the night for the
big guns were throwing shells over
our heads and the flashes of light
in the darkness gives one peculiar
sensations.
‘The Germans shelled some
peasant houses not far from our
gun-pits and the poor folk, along
with their children, came out
screaming. We took them into our
shell-proof dug-outs for safety.
‘It is surprising how many people
live so near the firing line, although
their houses have been shelled
time after time.
‘I think the tide will turn now that
we are all supplied with
respirators, for the gas they use
will have little effect. We have
heard that Germany is already
prepared for a winter campaign but
I don’t care a hang how long the
war lasts if we only come safely
through the campaign.
‘The one thing we are most in
need of at present is pure water.
All the wells and pumps here are
poisoned with enteric and typhoid
germs and for that reason all water
has to be boiled and chemically
examined before being used.’
11 June 1915
Master Vincent Laycock of 16
Bromet Place has for some time
been collecting cigarettes and
forwarding them to local soldiers at
the front.
Driver H B Greenwood, whose
home is in Undercliffe Road, in
acknowledging the receipt of a
parcel says: “Many thanks for the
cigarettes which you have sent out
to me.
“I am sure it is very kind of you to
think about the soldiers who are
fighting out here.
“I shall hand them round to my
comrades and they are sure to
give pleasure.
“you are doing your little bit for
your country just as much as the
soldiers are doing out here and
gifts like yours are always enjoyed
by us after a hard day’s work.”
20 August 1915
