Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Boonham a shoe pressman, born 1852 in Earl Shilton, Leics., and his wife Elizabeth a shoe machinist, born 1856 in Earl Shilton, Leics. Harry was born in 1888 in Earl Shilton, Leics., his siblings were, Mary Ann, born 1879, George, born 1881, Tom, born 1883, Ethel, born 1886 and Sam, born 1890, all his siblings were born in Earl Shilton, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at High Street, Earl Shilton, Leics. In March 1901 Harry was residing in the family home at 6, High Street, Earl Shilton, Leics., together with his widowed mother and siblings, George, Tom, Ethel and Sam, also residing with the family were his step cousin Mary A. Stevens, born 1874 in Peckleton, Leics., and his nephew Percy Ladkin, born 1901 in Earl Shilton, Leics. In April 1911 Harry was employed as a house painter and was residing in the family home at High Street, Earl Shilton, Leics., together with his widowed mother and siblings, Tom, Elizabeth and Sam, also residing with the family was his nephew Percy Ladkin. His younger brother Sam also fell in action. The War Diary for today records. During the night the enemy rushed forward his field and heavy guns and in the early morning he opened an intense bombardment of the RED LINE, PEIZIERE and the YELLOW LINE, under a heavy barrage he attacked the RED LINE but was driven off. 10.00am. About this hour news was received that the enemy had captured ST. EMILIE and the southern edge of EPEHY and the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. had been ordered to form a defensive flank on the EPEHY – SAULCOURT ROAD, to combine with this and to cover the right rear of PEIZIERE a second defensive flank facing south was made with every available man from Battalion HQ between YELLOW SUPPORT LINE and CHAUFOURS WOOD. 11.00am. As it was seen that the enemy were entering EPEHY in force from the south the two Tanks were ordered forward to check his advance and if possible clear EPEHY. The enemy retired on seeing their approach, and they report having inflicted heavy casualties. Unfortunately they were running short of petrol and as the engines required repairs they were unable to proceed further and attempting to withdraw to SAULCOURT both were knocked out. 12.00 noon. About this hour orders were received to withdraw the Battalion behind to BROWN LINE and concentrate at LONGAVENES. 12.15pm. Orders were issued for the withdrawal, up to this hour Captain VANNER M.C. was still holding the RED LINE and driving off every attack made on it. After the withdrawal of his Company he waited to superintend the demolition of both bridges over the cutting. This was successfully carried out. The withdrawal of the Battalion and the extrication of the posts in PEIZIERE was a matter of some difficulty as by the time of the receipt of the order by the Companies the enemy was in occupation of EPEHY and firing in from the north. The withdrawal was made under heavy machine gun fire from the south east and north east and a considerable number of casualties were incurred during it. 3.30pm. Battalion reorganised in valley just north of LONGAVESNES and received orders to march to AIZECOURT LE HAUT. 6.00pm. Battalion arrived and went into camp. Men had a hot meal.