Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Bottrill a farm bailiff, born 1854 in Broughton, Northamptonshire, and his wife Louisa Ellen Bottrill (nee Arnold, married on the 22nd October 1877 in Datchworth, Hertfordshire), who was the daughter of Edward Arnold, born 1854 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Harry was born on the 14th June 1893 in Saxelbye, Leicestershire, his siblings were Arthur, born 1887 and Jessie Arnold, born 1885 the latter two siblings were both born in Saxelbye, Alfred, born in the 3rd quarter of 1888 in Thorpe in the Glebe, Nottinghamshire and John Charles, born 1891 in Asfordby, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at New Parks Farm, New Parks., Leicestershire. In the 2nd quarter of 1908 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district, Harry’s father died aged 54. In April 1911 Harry was absent from the family home at 76, Wigston Lane, Aylestone, Leicester, residing there was his widowed mother and siblings, Jessie, a teacher of the deaf and John a hosiery warehouseman, Harry was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing as a servant at The Vicarage, Little Dalby, Melton Mowbray. Harry also had the following elder siblings, Ellen Maria, born 1879, William Edward, born 1880, Ernest, born 1882 and Minnie, born 1883, the latter four siblings were all born in Guilsborough, Northamptonshire. His elder brother Alfred also fell in action. Harry was shot through the head by a sniper. Before the war Harry was employed as an under gardener at Goadby Hall. The memorial at Goadby Marwood shows the spelling of his surname as Bottrell.
Harry attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservist’s) to serve an engagement of 3 years on the 2nd September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Saxelbye, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 21 years and 14 days and his trade or calling as gardener. He gave his present home as Goadby Marwood, Leicestershire, and confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his next of kin as Miss G. Bottrill, 41 Southgate Street, Leicester. His mother Ellen Louisa Bottrill, Aylestone, Leicestershire and brother Arthur Bottrill of Deneby Main, Yorkshire. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height, weighed 161 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 36 and 37½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, he had brown hair and blue eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army Reserve on the 2nd September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 13025 on the 2/9/14. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 24/9/14. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Killed in action at a place not stated on the 11/3/16. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 2/9/14 – 28/7/15, 330 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 11/3/16, 226 days. Total service 1 year and 191 days. Harry was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Harry’s eldest brother W. E. Bottrill on the 12th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Charles W. Wright, J.P., Grimston, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, none. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, William Edward Bottrill, age 39 of Grimston, Melton Mowbray. John Charles Bottrill, age 29 of 16, Sutherland Square, Wal-?-. Arthur Bottrill, age 32 of the R.G.A., Bordon Camp, Aldershot. Jessie Arnold Bottrill, age 35 of 80, Somerset Street, Rawle, -?-. Full blood sisters of soldier, Ellen Maria Jones, age 41 of Bray, Maidenhead, Bucks. Minnie Jones, age 27 of 1, Lime Grove Hoole, Chester. Harry’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
On Friday March 24th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – GOADBY MARWOOD. – LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. It is with sincere regret that we record the death of Private Harry Botterill, of the 8th Leicesters, who was killed “Somewhere in France” on March 11th. Although a native of Saxelbye, he had been employed for some time at Goadby Hall as under gardener, enlisting with a number of others from this village shortly after the war broke out, and as thus been regarded as one of the Goadby “boys.” After training for 10 months, during which time he was transferred to the Machine Gun Section, his regiment was drafted to France in July, 1915. He was 21 years of age, and of a quiet unassuming disposition. Whilst on active service, we are told he was one of the bravest soldiers, persevering, never tired, and always cheerful – the happy possessor of those qualities which go to make the ideal soldier and at the same time serve to buoy up and act as a stimulus upon their comrades in the ranks. The sad news was received on Friday last, in letters from deceased’s comrades, Ptes Cecil Foister and W. Piser, and the church bell was tolled out of respect to his memory. From these letters we gather that he was killed by an enemy sniper, on rising to straighten himself after a period of periscope duty in a cramped position in the trenches. He was shot through the head, death being instantaneous. The funeral took place in a neighbouring churchyard on the following day, Tuesday, March 12th, and was attended by Sergt. Emery, of his company (late butler at Goadby Hall). A sad feature in the case is that deceased’s mother died shortly after his enlistment, and two brothers have since been killed in action, so that much sympathy goes out to the remaining brother and three sisters in their bereavement. He had of late made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Huddleston, of Goadby, who had become greatly attached to him, and who feel the loss very deeply. A memorial service was held on Sunday afternoon, when suitable references were made by the Rector. The service was well attended, appropriate hymns being sung and a special form of service being used. “The Dead March,” was played at the close by Miss Waite, the organist, with cornet obligato by Mr. Hastings.
The War Diary records: 11 Mar-16 - The enemy was extraordinarily quiet with the exception that one of our men was killed by a German sniper. Work. Clearing -?- in NEWARK STREET and repairing wire in front of T.94. and NASTY LANE, the wire in front of T.98. was thoroughly examined and stakes set out for the continuation of the entanglement. Water and snow cleared out of NEWARK STREET and parts of fire trenches, wiring was done on the whole of our front, continued opening up communication trench behind T.98. and NARPOOH STREET and constructing parados in T.94., digging on new support dug out and Company dump, building up bays throughout sector 100. Patrol. A patrol consisting of 1 officer, 1 N.C.O. and 6 men went out from sector 104, bay 24 at 9.15pm., the object being to find out if the enemy were relieving. The patrol reconnoitred the front as far as sector 100. There was a lot of talking going on in the enemy’s lines at W.29.b.1.3. and W.29.b.4.7. No shots were fired from 9.00 to 12.00pm. The patrol returned safely at 11.40pm and from the information obtained it was presumed that no relief took place. Situation quiet. Wind easterly.