Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Shelton, a lime stone miner, born 1858 in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Shelton (nee Ward, married in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1862 in Barrow upon Soar. Harold was born on the 13th April 1898 in Barrow upon Soar, and was baptised on the 28th May 1899 in the Parish Church in Barrow upon Soar, he had one sibling, a brother Albert, a lustre polisher of India elastic, born 1887 in Barrow upon Soar, in March 1901 the family home was at North Street, Barrow upon Soar. In April 1911 Harold was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at North Street, Barrow upon Soar, together with his father, a lime stone mine labourer, and his mother. Harold died at home from the effects of being gassed in the trenches.
Harold attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 10th July 1915 in Leicester. He gave his home address as Town End, Barrow upon Soar, his age as 19 years and 86 days and his trade or calling as hosiery hand. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Jack Shelton of Town End, Barrow upon Soar as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 9 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches. It was noted that he had an overlapping toe on both feet. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10/18988 on the 10/7/15. Posted to the 10th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 10/7/15. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 16/3/16. Suffered a gunshot wound to his neck and left arm on the 14/7/16. Posted to the 191st Infantry Depot on the 18/7/16. Attached to and then posted to the 14th Training Reserve Battalion on the 23/10/16. Appointed Acting Lance Corporal on the 23/5/17. Appointed Paid Lance Corporal on the 2/7/17. Appointed Acting Corporal on the 13/9/17. Discharged due to being no longer fit for War Service (K.R. 392 (XVI) on the 24/6/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service 10/7/15 – 15/3/16, 249 days. British Expeditionary Force, France 16/3/16 – 17/7/16, 124 days. Home Service 18/7/16 – 24/6/18, 342 days. Total service 2 years 350 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. Harold was discharged due to suffering from a tubercle of the lung contracted during ordinary military service. An account of his condition given during a medical assessment records: He states that he caught a cold whilst in camp at -?-. He did not take much notice but cough became worse whilst in billets at Ashford and he reported sick. The cough continued until he came to Clipstone and he was sent into hospital here. He noticed that he was losing weight and getting short of breath. The sputum was not blood stained until he came into hospital. He has occasional night sweats. -?- history regards the cough is improved and sputum -?- not blood stained at present. A medical examination that took place prior to his discharge on the 24th June 1918 recorded his age as 22 years and 71 days, his height as 6 foot and ½ inch and his chest measurement was between 32 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as pale, his hair colour was fair and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on his neck and left forearm. His trade or calling was given as hosiery hand and he gave his intended place of residence as Town End, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. His military character was described as good, being honest, sober and trustworthy. His service number was TR/6/13221, his rank was Acting Corporal and he was currently serving with the 52nd (Grad) Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment.
On Friday July 28th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BARROW CASUALTIES. – Mrs. Bolton, of Nook-lane, Barrow, has received word that her husband Pte. Jack Bolton, of the Leicesters, is in hospital at Northampton, having been shot through the leg. Pte. Bolton who is the Notts. Forest footballer, has sent on a German helmet which he captured at the great attack. Mr. and Mrs. J. Shelton, of Town End, Barrow, have information from their son, Pte. H. Shelton, of the Leicesters, that he has been wounded and is in hospital at Brighton. Mr. and Mrs. A. Hartshorn, of Barrow, have been informed that their son, Pte. H. Hartshorn, has been wounded and is in hospital in France. Mrs. Barber, of Freestone-square, Barrow, has received news that her husband, Pte. A. Barber, is seriously wounded in the leg. This is the third time Pte. Barber, who is in hospital at Berwick, has been injured. Pte. Ernest Wm. Sutton, of a Canadian Regiment, is reported missing. Pte. Sutton who is 21 years of age, emigrated from Barrow to Canada four years ago. He enlisted in November 1914, came to France June 1915, and has been in the trenches since October 1915.