Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Buck a baker and corn dealer, born 1846 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, and his wife Annie Susannah Buck (nee Thorne, married in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in the Lutterworth, Leicestershire district), born on the 18th March 1855 in Lutterworth. Harold Charles was born in the 1st quarter of 1893 in Lutterworth, his siblings were, George, born on the 18th June 1888, Lizzie Emily, born on the 22nd August 1889 and Elsie Sarah, born on the 15th April 1891, all his siblings were born in Lutterworth, also residing with the family was his widowed maternal Grandmother, Elizabeth Thorne, born 1819 in Cotesbach, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Baker Street, Lutterworth. In April 1911 Harold was employed working in the family business as a baker and was residing in the family home at Baker Street, Lutterworth, together with his father, now a master baker, his mother and siblings, George, a baker, Lizzie, a draper’s clerk and Elsie, a shorthand typist also residing with the family was his, spinster maternal Aunt, Mary E. Thorne, living on private means, born 1841 in Lutterworth.
Harold enlisted into the Regular Army on the 3rd September 1914 in Rugby, Warwickshire, and was allotted the service number Z/1699. He gave his place of birth as Lutterworth, Leicestershire and age as 21 years. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as clerk.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 9⅜ inches in height, weighed 147 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 36¾ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown, he gave his religion as Baptist or Congregationalist.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Thomas Buck, Baker Street, Lutterworth, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. At Winchester. 3/9/14.
Posted. 5 D. 4/9/14.
Posted. 1st Bn. Rifle Brigade. 11/1/15.
From England. 12/1/15.
Posted. 1st Bn. Rifle Brigade. 12/1/15.
Joined. 4th Infantry Brigade Depot. 24/1/15.
Admitted. 12th Field Ambulance. 10/2/15.
Rejoined. 1st Bn. Rifle Brigade. 15/2/15.
Wounded. 26/4/15.
Missing. 26/4/15
Regarded for official purposes to have died on or since. 26/4/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 3/9/14 – 10/1/15. 129 days.
British Expeditionary Force France. 11/1/15 – 26/4/15. 107 days.
Total Service. 236 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Harold’s surviving service record amounts to a total of fourteen pages and these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 25 Apr-15 – 6.00am. Marched to huts in VLAMERTINGHE.
6.00pm. Marched via stone bridge just North of YPRES to ST. JEAN and halted while an attempt was made to discover where 2nd CANADA BRIGADE from whom we were to take over were. No definite news obtainable, so marched on (25 yards interval between platoons, 50 yards between Companies, 100 yards between Battalions) along WIELTJE - FORTUIN road which was being fairly heavily shelled.
The War Diary records: 26 Apr-15 - On arriving at FORTUIN, turned off road to South, and guided by Brigade Major 2nd CANADA BRIGADE eventually reached Hill 37, which had some large dug-outs constructed by the French on it. Sheltered in here just before daylight with 2 Companies SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY on our right and in touch with nothing on left.
As soon as it was daylight found some DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY (Territorial’s) retiring through us. Also saw some trenches on our left on FORTUIN road about 1000 yards East of FORTUIN, occupied by British troops. Pushed one platoon out to try and get touch with them. Shelling began in earnest soon after dawn and lasted all day. Saw Germans come over GRAVENSTAFEL Ridge and down into HAANEBEKE valley, but they did not push on. Casualties 103.
Shelling continued most of night.