Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Levi Curtis, a slater, born 1862 in Collyweston, Northamptonshire and his wife Mary Matilda Curtis (nee Howell, married in the 4th quarter of 1886 in the Stamford, Lincolnshire district), born 1st September 1865 in Easton on the Hill, Northamptonshire and was baptised on the 11th February 1866 in the Parish Church, Easton on the Hill. Horace was born on the 29th November 1889 in Easton on the Hill and baptised on the 25th December 1889 in the Parish Church, Easton on the Hill, he had one sibling, Harry Reginald, born 28th January 1887 in Easton on the Hill and baptised on the 17th April 1887 in the Parish Church, Easton on the Hill, in April 1891 the family were residing at New Town, Easton on the Hill, this being the family home of Horace’s maternal Grandfather, James Howell, a retired slater, born 1819 in Brompton, Kent and his wife Alice Howell, a retired laundress, born 1816 in Ketton, Rutland. In March 1901 Horace was residing in the family home at Easton on the Hill, together with his father, a slater, his mother and siblings, Harry, Albert Howell, born 29th October 1892 and baptised on the 27th November 1892 in the Parish Church, Easton on the Hill, Alice Mary, born 25th September 1895, Ada Winifred, born 4th October 1898 and William Cyril, born 17th March 1901, the latter four siblings were all born in Easton on the Hill. In April 1911 Horace was employed as a student teacher and was residing in the family home at Stamford Road, Easton on the Hill, together with, his father, a slater, his mother and siblings, Alice, a schoolgirl, Ada, a schoolgirl, William, a schoolboy and Phyllis Enid, born 24th July 1905 in Easton on the Hill, His older brother, Harry Reginald fell in action on the 18th September 1918 in Greece and his younger brother Albert died of wounds received in action on the 4th August 1916 in France. His father died on the 23rd October 1936 at Matleigh, Spencefield Lane, Evington, Leicestershire, aged 75 and his mother died on the 17th January 1955 at West Farm, Barrowden, Rutland, aged 90.
Horace was educated at Stamford Grammar School, Lincolnshire, where he had won a Marshall and Radcliffe Exhibition, leaving school in 1908, he attended Leeds University where he played an active part in athletics and university social life, leaving with a B.Sc. degree. He became a teacher at Easton on the Hill and then moved to become an Assistant Master at Buxton Grammar School, Derbyshire just prior to the outbreak of war. He was also a London Inter B.A. and was working for his final when he joined the army. He obtained a commission with the West Yorkshire Regiment in August 1914, and was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1915. He was a very popular officer and an excellent soldier and, like his brother Harry, intended to enter the Church. He first entered the theatre of war in Gallipoli on the 10th July 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 7 Aug-15 – LALA BABA. After occupying LALA BABA HILL the Battalion pressed forward across sandy isthmus and Salt Lake and supported 34th Brigade LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS in attack on HILL 10 where enemy had strongly entrenched position surrounded with land mines, here officers wounded in assault. Battalion became rather scattered some platoons moving North to support 34th Brigade on KIRETCH TEPI SIRT whilst others moved with the 33rd Brigade and 10th Division to attack VILGHIN BURNA (CHOCOLATE HILL). Headquarters went with 34th Brigade. Battalion collected for night and billeted in Turkish Redoubt at HILL 10. Water scarce. Many Turkish rifles and cases of shells in redoubt.
The War Diary records: 11 Aug-15 – LALA BABA. Battalion in second line in support of NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS and MANCHESTER REGIMENT and was holding SULAJIK FARM, sniping at Farm very heavy, but Machine Guns did good work. At 19:00 Battalion moved into reserve at LALA BABA over Salt Lake not fired on by guns.
Casualties during operations. Officers, 4 killed, 6 missing and wounded, 13 wounded. Men, 46 killed, 61 wounded, 88 wounded and missing, 153 missing, several believed to be killed.