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. Harry Reginald, was born on the 28th January 1887 in Easton on the Hill and baptised on the 17th April 1887 in the Parish Church, Easton on the Hill, he had one sibling, Horace, born 29th November 1889 in Easton on the Hill and baptised on the 25th December 1889 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 Harry’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 Harry was residing in the family home at Easton on the Hill, together with his father, a slater, his mother and siblings, Horace, 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 Harry was absent from the family home at Stamford Road, Easton on the Hill, residing there was his father, a slater, his mother and siblings, Horace, a student teacher, Alice, a schoolgirl, Ada, a schoolgirl, William, a schoolboy and Phyllis Enid, born 24th July 1905 in Easton on the Hill, Harry was engaged as an assistant master and was residing at Ardingly School, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex. His younger brothers, Horace fell in action on the 7th August 1915 in Gallipoli and 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, age 75 and his mother died on the 17th January 1955 at West Farm, Barrowden, Rutland, age 90.
Harry entered Stamford Grammar School, Lincolnshire in 1899, leaving in 1902 to continue his studies in London. He became an assistant master at St. Saviour’s College in Ardingly, Sussex from 1909 until 1912, and he had hoped to join the Church. He then took up an engagement as an Officer’s Schoolmaster with the White Star Line on the training ship Mersey. At the outbreak of war he had taken a post as an assistant master at Ellesmere College, where he was also reading for Holy Orders, but he at once obtained a commission, was made Captain in February 1915 and Major in October 1916. He served in France, and was then sent to Salonica and it was here that he was killed by a trench mortar shell whilst leading his men in an attack on the position known as the Grand Couronne and the “P” Ridge just west of Lake Dojran. A brother officer tells the story in the following terms:- “An attack was planned on the whole of the Bulgar position. Our division, in co-operation with our Greek troops, was given the very difficult task of attacking the position known as the Grand Couronne and the “P” Ridge just west of Lake Dojran. This position in itself was an extremely strong one. In addition, the Bulgars had brought up very heavy reinforcements to this sector as they apparently expected a very strong attack here. Our Battalion was given two objectives. The capture of the foremost of these was entrusted to Major Curtis who had two companies under his command for this purpose. Very strong opposition was met; the enemy artillery, trench mortar, and machine gun fire was extremely heavy. The result was that although the objectives were reached, the casualties were so great that the first attacking force was unable to retain possession of the positions they had won by such heroic efforts. It was in this attack that Major Curtis was killed by a trench mortar shell. He had worked hard in getting out the details, and led his men to the attack in a most gallant manner and was a great example to them. The fact that we were keeping engaged heavy enemy forces made the attack on other parts of the line easier, with the result that the Serbs were able to push right through. The final result was that the position of the main Bulgarian Army was so serious they had no option but to surrender, and there is no doubt the Bulgarian collapse considerably hastened the collapse of the central powers.” Mr and Mrs Curtis have lost three talented and brilliant sons in the war. They have one son left, who is still at school. The only consolation which can be offered in such a case, as in fact in any other case where parents have lost their nearest and dearest, is that their lives were given in the cause of honour, of freedom, and of justice, and their great sacrifice will remain an undying memory among their grateful countrymen.
Harry first entered the theatre of war in France on the 30th October 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.