Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Harby, born 1869 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire and his wife Beatrice Hannah Harby (nee Harris, married in the 4th quarter of 1889 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1871 in Langham, Rutland, in March 1901 Richard was absent from the family home at Sands Square, Long Clawson, residing there was his father, a cattleman and teamster, his mother and siblings, John Henry, born in the 4th quarter of 1891, Arthur, born 1893, Herbert, born 20th February 1897, Gladys Maud, born 5th April 1899 and Albert, born 13th October 1900, all his siblings were born in Long Clawson, Richard who was born on the 3rd October 1895 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire, was residing at Main Street, Long Clawson together with his widowed paternal grandmother, Eliza Harby, a lace cheniller, born 1841 in Plungar, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Richard was absent from the family home at Sands Square, Long Clawson, residing there was his father a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Gladys, a schoolgirl, Albert, a schoolboy, Edward Harris, born 18th February 1904, Ernest, born 1906, Reuben, born 1908 and Benjamin, born 1st November 1910, Richard was employed as a farm worker and was residing as a servant at Hose, Leicestershire. Richard was killed in action on the 16th September 1916, and lost his older brother John Henry who died of wounds received in action on the same day. He was awarded the British War and Victor medals.
On Friday October 15th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – NEWS FROM THE FRONT. Mrs. J. Harby, has received a field postcard from her son, Dick Harby, to say he is quite well, and not wounded as reported last week.
On Friday October 29th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – WOUNDED SOLDIERS. Pte. Walter Green, 2nd Leicester’s, son of Mr. Thos. Green, is reported wounded in France. This is the second time Pte. Green has been wounded. Pte. Richard Harby, Lincolns, son of Mrs. J. Harby, is also reported seriously wounded. It is hoped that these brave men will soon recover, and be able to visit the village.
On Friday December 10th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – SOLDIERS ON LEAVE. Sergt. Chas. Henry Battersby, who is on leave from France, has given some interesting accounts of the western front. Pte. Bert Wilson, who was at home some time ago recovering from wounds, is now home again on sick leave, having journeyed from Dublin Hospital where he has received treatment for rheumatism. Private Richard Harby, who was seriously wounded in the neck, has now returned to the trenches. These have the sincere wishes of the village for better luck and safety in the future. The following have been attested for their respective groups since our last report:- Mr. J. H. Shilcock, Mr. Edwin Heurd, and Mr. James Miller, junr.
On Friday July 21st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – LOCAL SOLDIERS. – The news will be received with much regret that Pte. Richard Harby, of the 7th Lincolns, is again in hospital in France, having received injuries through being buried whilst in action during the recent push. It is hoped that he will soon recover. It will give much pleasure to hear that Lce-Cpl. W. B. Littler has been promoted to Corporal in the D.L.I. He was on leave this week, also Pte. F. Ing, looking very fit. They speak in high terms of the good time they are having with the Durham’s. Pte. Geo. Miller, son of Mr. A. Miller, has left for France. The best wishes of the village go with him for good luck and a safe return.
On Friday August 18th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. With much regret the news will be received that several casualties have occurred amongst the Clawson boys. Lance-Corpl. Bert Wilson of the Leicester’s, is officially reported wounded. This is his second time, besides having been in hospital with rheumatism, during the war. Pte. Reuben Swain, Highland Light Infantry, son of Mr. E. Swain, has been admitted to hospital in London with a wound to the arm. Pte. Chas. Johnson is officially reported missing. It is but a few months since he married Miss E. Moulds, of Long Clawson. Pte. Richard Harby, of the Lincolns, son of Mrs. J. Harby, widow, is reported wounded for the third time in this war. It is hoped that they will all fully recover and soon return. PROMOTIONS:- It will be with pleasure that the news will be reported that Pte. Bert Wilson has been promoted to Lance-Corpl. This was not known until his name appeared in the list of wounded. Pte. Fred Ing of the Durham Light Infantry, was promoted to Lance-Corpl. on arriving in France.
The War Diary records: 16 Sept-16 – ARRAS. The enemy shelled our lines with 77mm and 4.2” the shooting was very erratic. One man was killed, this is the first casualty we have had since coming into this sector.
On Friday October 20th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – NEWS FROM THE WAR OFFICE. Mr. and Mrs. A. Miller received the news that their son, Pte. Geo. Miller, had been killed by a shell, and Mrs. John Harby, widow has been notified that her son, Pte. Richard Harby, is either wounded or missing. Pte. Harby has been wounded twice before and it is about a fortnight since Mrs. Harby received the news that her eldest son was killed. Deep sympathy is expressed throughout the village with both families.
On Friday December 15th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” - The following casualties amongst local men are officially reported. All are Private’s except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next-of-kin. From Saturday’s list:- KILLED. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Wright, 16943 E. (Melton Mowbray). LONDON REGIMENT. Sutton, 6749 H. (Wymondham). SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY. HARBY, 26982 R. (Melton Mowbray).

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photograph of Richard Harby in Lincolnshire uniform, taken before he transferred to the SLI. In addition to his elder brother, John, their cousin William Harby, from Nether Broughton, was also killed during the war.
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Photograph and information submitted by family member S. Clark 2018