Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Newbold, a coal miner, born 1865 in Measham, Leicestershire and his wife Agnes Victoria Alberta Newbold (nee Hodds, married on the 25th December 1893 in St. John the Baptist Church, Mexborough, Yorkshire), born 1866 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and who was the daughter of James Hodds. Harry was born in the 3rd quarter of 1898 in Measham, Leics., his siblings were, George James, born 1897 and Victor Hodds, born 1900, both his siblings were born in Measham, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Tan Yard Cottages, High Street, Measham, Leics. In April 1911 Harry was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Bosworth Road, Measham, Leics., together with his father, a coal miner (disabled), his mother and siblings, George, a coal miner, Victor, a schoolboy, John William, a schoolboy, born 1902, Olive Mary, a schoolgirl, born 1905, Cecil, born 1908 and Dagmar May, born 1910, the latter four siblings were all born in Measham, Leics. Although officially recorded at birth as Harry, some documents record a second Christian name of Buckley. Harry is recorded as being killed in action on the 12th July 1917, however as will be noted from the War Diary entry for that date, his Battalion was in rest billets, the previous two days, the 10th and 11th July were spent in action, and it would be a reasonable assumption to accept that it was during these two days of action that Harry lost his life.
The War Diary records: 10 – 11 July-17 – In the Field – “B” Company and 1 platoon of “C” Company raided enemy’s trenches on night of 10/11th July 1917. For report of this raid see Appendix “A”. Casualties Lieut C. de V. HINDE, wounded and missing. 2nd Lieut T.A.L. DAWSON, wounded. 2nd Lieut A.G. RICE, wounded. 2 O.R. killed. 1 O.R. wounded, since died of wounds. 35 O.R. wounded. 2 O.R. missing.
11 July-17 – In the Field – “B” Company and one platoon of “C” Company joined Battalion at DOMINION CAMP. Battalion entrained at OUDERDOOM and proceed to AUDRUICQ by rail, from there to REBERGUES by road.
12 July-17 – CALAIS Map Ref: Sheet 13 – Battalion in training at REBERGUES.
Appendix “A” Headquarters:
25th Infantry Brigade:
Herewith report on Operation carried out by “B” Company and one platoon of “C” Company 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment on the night of 10/11th July 1917. Strength of party 168 all ranks. The presumed strength of enemy's position was the reason for adding No. 10 platoon of “C” Company. This was fully justified by after events. The Company was formed up in KINGSWAY on end in front of wire at KINGSWAY SUPPORT and all was ready at ZERO minus15 mins. One man was killed by a stray shell in getting to the assembly position. At 1am (zero hour) punctually, the barrage fell, and the raiding party moved forward immediately. The German front line was reached without any casualties except from our own barrage. This was caused by some of the sections pressing on too closely. Owing to darkness, sections were inclined to bunch at the start, but got their proper intervals by the time the German front line was reached. 50% of the Company had never been in action before, and all things considering went very well, though there was some wavering when the enemy threw bombs which they did from dugouts and shelters. The second objective was reached at Zero plus14 mins. It was very difficult owing to the darkness to recognise the entrances to dugouts, the consequence being that after our line passed over, the enemy emerged and brought a Machine Gun into action, this and the team were knocked out by Sergeant Sturgess. The Germans put up a good fight in practically every instance, the consequence was only one prisoner was taken. With reference to this, one German fired at Private Bawden, the bullet grazing the latter's arm. Private Bawden knowing how essential identification was, showed great self restraint in not killing the man who immediately put his hands up after firing. In one case two Germans offered to surrender and then threw bombs, these were killed. Many dugouts were bombed and as these positions were strongly held, a good many Germans must have been killed: Those killed from hand to hand encounters estimated at 30.
WIRE:
There was quite a lot of wire left between the Germans front and support line though rolled up and broken.
BARRAGE:
All agree that the barrage was excellent in every way. For night work it seems that shrapnel bursting on graize gives an excellent line for the troops to work by.
O. C. Left platoon reports 20 dead Germans opposite the MENIN ROAD CRATER and other platoons report Germans lying dead in front line trenches.
I am of the opinion that the care taken by Major Duncan R.F.A. to demonstrate the exact position of the barrage to all raiding Officers on the morning of the 10th inst was largely responsible for the excellent direction kept by the troops in the raid. There were a number of small dugouts and shelters in HOOGE crater which were bombed. Trenches were in some places 9 feet deep. The crater at 1.18.b.0.9. was 40 to 50 feet deep, very soft at Eastern end and a large pool of water in the centre and also small dugouts round the sides. O.C. Left platoon report that 6 to 8 Germans were killed by his platoon.
WITHDRAWAL:
The retirement was carried out with practically no casualties to ourselves, the platoon first line covering retirement of 2nd wave. This withdrawal did not start till Zero plus 44 mins. And not at Zero plus 36 mins. All stokes mortar bombs were thrown into dugouts on signal of withdrawal being given by the bugle.
CASUALTIES:
Casualties, 2 Officers, 20 O.R. Casualties reported mostly slightly wounded. One Officer four O.R. missing. 2 killed.
All arrangements about stores etc. were completely satisfactory owing to the courtesy of the 7th Inf. Bde. A conservative estimate of total German casualties is at least 70 to 80.
Signed: Roland Haig, Lt Col Commanding 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment. 12.7.17.