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, a cattleman and teamster, born 1869 in Long Clawson, Leicestershire and his wife Beatrice Harby (nee Harris, married in the 4th quarter of 1889 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1871 in Langham, Rutland. John Henry was born 11th October 1891 in Long Clawson, his siblings were, Arthur, born 1894, 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, in March 1901 the family home was at Sands Square, Long Clawson. In April 1911 John 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 1903, Reuben, born 1908 and Benjamin, born 1st November 1910, the latter four siblings were all born in Long Clawson, John was employed as a farm cow man and was residing as a servant at East End, Long Clawson. John died of wounds received in action in the 63rd West Lancashire Field Ambulance on the 16th September 1916, his younger brother Richard was killed in action on the same day. John was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 14 Sep-16 – 7.30pm. Battalion about 650 rifles strong went up to take part in offensive operations and proceeded via CONTALMAISON and MAMETZ WOOD to BAZENTIN LE PETIT where we assembled in the old German lines with “A” and “B” in O.G.2., “C” and “D” and Headquarters in O.G.1. We remained here until 6.20am the following morning which was the time fixed as ZERO hour.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 – BAZENTIN LE PETIT. 6.30am. At this hour the bombardment commenced and the assault took place. The first assaulting lines was followed up by “A” Company under Captain HILL and the second by “B” Company under Lieutenant J. K. M. HESSLER. “C” Company under Lieutenant F. D. BROWN went forward to the first objectives. “D” Company in regimental reserve under Captain P. WOOD moved up with Battalion Headquarters at 7.20am into SWANSEA TRENCH.
The War Diary records: 16 Sep-16 – BAZENTIN LE PETIT. 9.00am. 5th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY supported by Company of 4th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT was ordered to attack and hold STARFISH and PRUE TRENCHES. The Companies were scattered all over and with great difficulty the attack was launched to time “D,” “B,” “C,” “A” Company in reserve. At the beginning direction was rather lost by “D” Company and only the Western end of STARFISH and PRUE TRENCHES were captured. A good proportion of casualties were suffered from Machine Guns and snipers.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – LONG CLAWSON. – LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED. The sad news was received from the War Office by Mrs. J. Harby on Saturday, that her eldest son, Pte. H. Harby, had been killed in action. Deep sympathy is expressed with his mother and her family in their grief.
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.