Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Booth a bricklayer’s labourer, born 1851 in Leek, Staffordshire and his wife Mary Booth (nee Bates, married on the 2nd February 1873 in Kegworth, Leicestershire) a hosiery trade seamer, born 1854 in Kegworth, Leicestershire. Harry was born in the 4th quarter of 1877 in Kegworth, his siblings were John William, born 1874, George, born 1876 and Naomi, born 1880, all his siblings were born in Kegworth, in April 1881 the family home was at Borough Street, Kegworth. In April 1891 Harry was residing in the family home at Dragwell, Kegworth, together with his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Naomi, a schoolgirl, Emma, born 1882, Ruth, born 1884, Frank, born 1886, Charles, born 1888 and William, born 1891, the latter five siblings were all born in Kegworth. In March 1901 Harry was employed as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home at Cabbage Nook, Kegworth, together with his father, a journeyman butcher, his mother and siblings, Charles and William. In the 2nd quarter of 1903 in the Shardlow, Derbyshire district, Harry’s mother died aged 48. In the 1st quarter of 1908 in the Shardlow, Derbyshire district, Harry’s father died aged 57. In April 1911 Harry was employed as a farm labourer and was residing as a lodger at Borough Street, Kegworth, together with his two brothers Charles, a labourer and William, a labourer.
Harry attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 19th February 1916 in Loughborough. He gave his current address as Borough Street, Kegworth, his age as 37 years and 9 months and his trade or calling as plasterer labourer, his present employer being Lord Belper Gypsum Mines, Kingston on Soar. He stated that he was unmarried. He gave his sister, Ruth Shilcross of Borough Street, Kegworth as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 2¾ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 35 and 38 inches. After attestation on the 19/2/16 in Loughborough he was transferred as Private, service number 55471 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 22/1/17. Posted as Air Mechanic 3 to the Royal Flying Corps Depot at South Farnborough on the 23/1/17. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 15/4/17. Died on the 17/11/17. Harry was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
His nominated legatees shared a total of 8 pounds 9 shillings and 7 pence after his death, they were his sister, Mrs. Ruth Shilcross, 1 pound 8 shillings and 4 pence, brother John W. Booth, 1 pound 8 shillings and 3 pence, brother Charles Booth, 1 pound 8 shillings and 3 pence, sister Mrs. Emma Robotham, 1 pound 8 shillings and 3 pence, brother Frank, 1 pound 8 shillings and 3 pence and at the request of his brother William, his sister in law Dorothy Malvena Pegg Booth (nee Woolley), 1 pound 8 shillings and 3 pence.