Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Read, a granite quarry worker, born 1869 in Markfield, Leics., and his wife Mary Ann Read, born 1870 in Markfield, Leics. Horace Edward was born on the 21st December 1894 in Markfield, Leics., his siblings were, Ethel, born 1893, Eliza A., born 1896 and Mary A., born 1901, all his siblings were born in Markfield, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Shaw Lane, Markfield, Leics. In April 1911 Horace was employed as a concrete works labourer and was residing in the family home at Shaw Lane, Markfield, Leics., together with his father, now an engine driver, his mother and siblings, Mary, a schoolgirl, Harriett, a schoolgirl, born 1903, Lilian Maria, a schoolgirl, born 1905, Amy Jane, born 1907 and Ada, born 1910, the latter four siblings were all born in Markfield, Leics. Horace married Sarah Anne Newby in the second quarter of 1917 in the Blaby, Leics., marriage registration district., and the resided at 17, Junction Road, Markfield, Leics., and later at 6, Oadby Road, Wigston Magna, Leics. Horace was recorded as an Army Reservist on the 25th January 1916. He enlisted on the 16th July 1917 and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 19th November 1917, joining the Drake Battalion on the 27th November 1917 and serving with this unit until he was detached from active service on the 21st December 1917, suffering from piles, and invalided to England on the 27th December 1917. He embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 1st April 1918, re-joining the Drake Battalion on the 8th April 1918, and serving in this unit until he was reported missing on the 4th September 1918, later reported by R/428, Able Bodied Seaman G. H. Allen that Horace was killed on the 21st August 1918 near Albert, France.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article – Friday April 30th, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT COPT OAK CHURCH

WINDOW DECORATED BY THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH

A large congregation was present at Copt Oak Church on Sunday morning to witness the dedication by the Bishop of Peterborough of a beautiful stained-glass window which has been placed in the church in memory of local men who gave their lives in the great war.

The window has three lights, the centre light being occupied by a warrior kneeling at the foot of Christ, with the inscription, “Faithful unto death, 1914 – 1918.” The following are the fallen who are commemorated:

E. Bowley, J. W. Brooks, J. H. Gibbins, H. Heggs, H. A. V. Hull, H. Hall, R. Irons, T. J. Kelham, A. H. Mason, G. H. Partner, P. B. Pearce, S. W. Richardson, H. Read, P. Tyers, S. A. Whyles and W. Wibberley.

Immediately preceding the service, a muffled peal was rung on the bells. The Rev. H. C. Gannell (vicar) took the first part of the service, which was fully choral, and the Rev. J. Martin, of Charley Hall, read the lessons. The special music rendered by the choir included the Te Deum (Hopkins) and the anthem, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Elvey). Mrs Gannell officiated at the organ, and at the close played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The Bishop, in his address from St. John, xx, 29, emphasised the power of the Resurrection, dealing with the introduction of Christianity into Britain, the progress made in Uganda, India and China. Instead of thinking of God as a kind of arch-magistrate seated on a distant star, we must think of one who is full of sympathy even for those whom many consider as beyond the pale. His Lordship continued, “We remember those gallant men who gave their lives in the war. They have cleared the way for a new Britain, a better Europe and a new world. Our task is to carry on, not to beat the Germans, but to form a truer fellowship, a lasting peace and goodwill. We must never falter until the great League of Nations is rooted and grounded in brotherly love, and a new comradeship is established, not every one grabbing for self, but each man loving his neighbour as himself.”

The congregation included many of the relatives of the deceased men. The collections at the services, including the Choral Communion Service at 8 am, at which the Bishop of Peterborough was the celebrant, were for the Window Fund. The service at 6.30 pm was taken by the Rev. T. W. Walters, Whitwick, Rural Dean.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 22/5/2019