Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Wyatt Cole a domestic groom, born 1860 in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire and his wife Margaret Annie Cole (nee Knight, married in the 4th quarter of 1880 in the Oakham, Rutland district), born 1863 in Langham, Rutland. Harry was born on the 17th November 1889 in Langham, his siblings were, George William, a schoolboy, born 1881, Richard Henry, a schoolboy born 1883, Rose Hannah C., a schoolgirl, born 1884 and Francis Knight, a schoolboy, born 1886, all his siblings were born in Langham, in April 1891 the family home was at Church Street, Langham. In March 1901 Harry was residing in the family home at Church Street, Langham, together with his father, a domestic groom, his mother and siblings, Richard, a domestic groom, Rose, a post office assistant, Francis and Victoria Margaret E., born 1897 in Langham. In the 4th quarter of 1904 in the Oakham, Rutland district, Harry’s father died aged 44. In April 1911 Harry was employed as a fishmonger and was residing in the family home at Langham, together with his widowed mother, now a fishmonger and his brother Francis an engine driver. Harry assumed a second Christian name of Wyatt, although officially he was recorded at birth as Harry. Harry was the youngest of four brothers who served in the army during the war, and had been in the employ of Lord Ranksborough for some years, he then became a waiter at the Brooklands Hotel in Sale, Lancashire. Harry had been a member of the Territorial Force for five years, embarking for France on the 9th November 1915, taking part in the Battle of the Somme, where he was killed by a bullet through his heart at Mametz, France. Harry was recorded as having been killed in action between the 1st and 5th July 1916. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 1 Jul-16 – BOIS DES TANK TAILLES B1 Subsector. 12.00 Midnight. Battalion marched to forming up trenches in B1 Subsector. Strength 20 officers 796 other ranks.
7.30am. Attack commenced – Battalion in Brigade reserve. “A” Company followed first Battalion over to clear up German front lines and send back prisoners. 2nd Lieutenant P. J. RAM killed.
9.40am. “B” and “C” Companies sent to reinforce 1st SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT attacking MAMETZ. MAMETZ captured and trenches gradually taken on the far (North) side.
3.50pm. “D” Company sent to reinforce 2nd QUEENS in their attack on QUEENS NULLAH.
4.30pm. Battalion Headquarters moved to MAMETZ – 2nd Lieutenant’s G. F. WILSON and H. H. COWIN killed, Captain T. I. W. WILSON, 2nd Lieutenant FAIRCLOUGH wounded.
2 Jul-16 – MAMETZ. MAMETZ shelled intermittently throughout day. Final objective gained.
3 Jul-16 – MAMETZ. 7.00am. Patrol under 2nd Lieutenant FARNSWORTH reconnoitred BOTTOM WOOD and found it practically free of enemy.
12.00 Noon. BOTTOM WOOD occupied by us supported by 7th BORDER REGIMENT. We captured 3 field guns. Edge of BOTTOM WOOD consolidated.
4 Jul-16 – MAMETZ. 4.20am. ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS passed through us and returned through us after bombing trenches in front. Lieutenant H. E. SCOTT wounded, 2nd Lieutenant W. MULHOLLAND wounded.
4.00pm. Relieved by the 2nd ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT. “A,” “B” and “D” Companies went into cellars and dug outs in MAMETZ. “C” Company into bivouacs near MINDEN POST. Intermittent shelling of MAMETZ including lachrymatory shells. Weather wet.
5 Jul-16 – MAMETZ. 3.30pm. Marched from MAMETZ to BUIRE SOUS CORBIE. Went into billets in reserve, 2nd Lieutenant HUTCHINSON wounded.
On Friday August 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MEMORIAL SERVICE AT LANGHAM. Last Sunday evening a memorial service was held at Langham Parish Church for the late Pte. Harry Cole, of the Manchester Regt., whose widowed mother, Mrs. H. Cole, had received official news that he had been killed in action. Her three other sons are serving in France. The deceased was for some time in the employ of Lord Ranksborough. He had served five years in the Territorial Force, and joined the Manchester’s in November, 1914. Always a bright and popular lad, he was unsurpassed as a dutiful and affectionate son. He was a nephew of Mr. F. Cole, the well known Exton trainer.