Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward James Flack, a quarry labourer, born 18th December 1872 in Lakenheath, Suffolk and his wife Mary Flack, born 1872 in Welney, Cambridgeshire. Horace, a shoe trade clicker, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1896 in Ely, Cambridgeshire, his siblings were Harriett Elizabeth, a boot and shoe trade machinist, born 1890 in Welney, Arthur William, a a boot and shoe trade packer, born 1892 and Susannah, a boot and shoe trade machinist, born 1894, the latter two siblings were both born in Upwell, Norfolk, and Edward John, a boot and shoe trade finisher, born 1896 in Ely, in April 1911 the family home was at 3, Boundary Road, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire.
Horace attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 11th November 1914 in Mountsorrel. He gave his home address as Boundary Road, Mountsorrel and his age as 18 years and 8 months. He gave his father, Edward James Flack, later changed to his mother, Mary Flack of Boundary Road, Mountsorrel, near Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 37 inches. His vision was described as good and his physical development was very good. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 3251 on the 11/11/14. Posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 11/11/14. Embodied service commenced on the 11/11/14. Embarked from Southampton aboard S.S. Queen Alexandra to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/6/15. Disembarked Rouen on the 30/6/15. Admitted to the 1/2nd North Midland Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to the right hand, left foot and back, in the field on the 16/4/16. Admitted to the 30th Casualty Clearing Station, in the field on the 16/4/16. Died of wounds in the 30th Casualty Clearing Station, in the field on the 16/4/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 11/11/14 – 28/6/15, 230 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/6/15 – 16/4/16, 293 days. Total service 1 year 158 days. Horace was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Horace’s mother Mary Flack on the 24th June 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?- Skipworth, J.P. in Leicestershire, Mountsorrel, Loughborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Edward James Flack of Boundary Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough. Mother of soldier, Mary Flack of Boundary Road, Mountsorrel, Loughborough. Full blood brothers of soldier, Arthur William Flack, age 27 No. 287590, Rhine, Cologne. Edward John Flack, age 23 of Boundary Road, Mountsorrel. Full blood sisters of soldier, Harriett Shephard, age 29 of Boundary Road, Mountsorrel. Susannah Henson, age 25 of Boundary Road, Mountsorrel.
The War Diary records: 16 Apr-16 - TRENCHES. At 11.00am officers from 25th Division came to look over trenches previous to taking over line. At 11.30am Corps Commander visited front line and supports. At 4.45pm enemy shelled front line trenches with shrapnel and high explosive, also trench mortars and bombs and rifle grenades. One of the latter unfortunately dropping in centre of trench, wounding eight men including the Battery Observation Officer who was very seriously injured. “D” and “C” Companies fatigues as before. Night quiet. Casualties 2 killed, 6 wounded.
On Friday May 12th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MOUNTSORREL SOLDIER KILLED. The parents of Private Horace Flack, who reside at Boundary-road, Mountsorrel, have received information that their son has succumbed to wounds. Deceased, who was 20 years of age, and joined the Leicestershire Regiment early in the war, was formerly employed by the School Boot Company, Mountsorrel.