Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Langham, a farm bailiff, born 1869 in Catthorpe, Leics., and his wife Fanny Langham (nee Cave, married in the 4th quarter of 1893 in the Lutterworth, Leics. district), born 1869 in South Kilworth, Leics. Harold Alfred was born in the 2nd quarter of 1898 in Belgrave, Leicester, his siblings were, Dorothy Alice, born 1895 and Victor Noel, born 1896, both his siblings were born in Leek, Staffs., in March 1901 the family home was at Chapel House, Breadsall, Shardlow, Derbys. In April 1911 Harold was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Tomley, Swinford, Leics., together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and brother, Victor, a farm labourer, also residing with the family was Harold’s widowed maternal grandfather, Charles Cave, an old age pensioner, born 1836 in South Kilworth, Leics. On the 30th August 1920, Harold’s family were living at High Street, Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwks. Harold enlisted into the Army on the 30th July 1915 in Rugby, Warwickshire to serve a 12 year engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve. He gave his place of birth as Catthorpe, near Rugby in the county of Leicester, his age as 18 years and 2 months and his trade or calling as carter. He gave his father Alfred Langham of Heath Cottage, Cotesbach, near Lutterworth, Leicestershire as his next of kin. He made a request to serve in the East Kent Regiment. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5½ inches in height, and he weighed 126 pounds, his chest measurement was between 32½ and 35 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was dark brown and his eyes were brown. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for service. He was allocated the service number of L/10590 when he joined as a Private at the Depot of The Buffs in Canterbury, Kent on the 1st August 1915. His record of service gives the following information:- Posted to the 3rd Battalion East Kent Regiment on the 5/8/15. Posted to the 1st Battalion East Kent Regiment on the 11/2/16. He was charged with the offence of being “Absent from parade at 6.30am” on the 29th April 1916 and was awarded 3 days C.B. (Confined to Barracks) on the 29/4/16. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 11/5/16. Died of wounds in the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station, Bethune, France on the 23/3/17. A summary of his service records:- Home Service 30/7/15 – 10/5/16, 285 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 11/5/16 – 23/3/17, 317 days. Total Service 1 year 236 days. A telegram was sent to Harold’s father the contents are as follows:- Attest Hounslow. C2 Cas. P 54542 OC. 33 Cas. Clg. Stn. France reports 24 March died 11.40pm 23 March 10590 Pte. H.A. Langham 1 E. Kents. G.S.W. ariel dart R side & L. arm. Proelicas (From the Battlefield). Harold’s personal effects were forwarded to his father on the 13th April 1917, they consisted of a disc, letters, photos. cards, cap badge, purse, safety razor, blades in case and coins, 5 cents.The following information was provided on the 8th April 1920 by Harold’s father Alfred on ARMY FORM W. 5080, and witnessed and signed by W. H. Jenkins, a Clerk in Holy Orders in Hillmorton Vicarage, Rugby. (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of soldier, Alfred Langham of High Street, Hillmorton, Rugby. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, Victor Langham, age 24 of High Street, Hillmorton, Rugby. Full blood sisters of soldier, Dorothy Alice Langham, age 26 of High Street, Hillmorton, Rugby.