Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Harby, a carpenter, born 1848 in Long Clawson, Leics., and his wife Sarah Ann Harby (nee Crafts, married 1881), born 1852 in Nether Broughton, Leics. William, a schoolboy was born in 1885 in Nether Broughton, Leics., his siblings were, Mary E., a schoolgirl, born1883 and Annie S., a schoolgirl, born 1886, both his siblings were born in Nether Broughton, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Chapel Lane, Nether Broughton, Leics. William’s mother Sarah Ann died in the first quarter of 1892, aged 40. In March 1901 William was residing in the family home at Chapel Lane, Nether Broughton, Leics., together with his father, now a wheelwright and his step mother Elizabeth Harby (nee Bryan, married 1894), born 1838 in Frisby, Leics. In April 1911 William was employed as a domestic servant and was residing as a servant at Egglestone Farm, Six Hills, Leics., this being the home of his employer, Alfred Cecil Bowley, a farmer born 1887 in Nether Broughton, Leics., and his wife Mary Elizabeth, born 1890 in Nether Broughton, Leics. On Friday December 21st 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – UPPER AND NETHER BROUGHTON. – LOCAL SOLDIER WOUNDED. – On Tuesday Mr. W. Harby, joiner of this village, received the following letter regarding his son, Pte. William Harby: - “29, C.C.S. Dear Mr. Harby, - Your son, Pte. W. Harby came in here today wounded in the stomach. Of course his condition is serious, but he is doing as well as he can be expected, and he will go to the base soon, if all goes well. I will write again if he stays here any time, and let you know how he goes on. – Yours sincerely, M. W. Cutters, C.F. Chaplain.” Private W. Harby joined up on the 29th of March, 1916, in the West Yorks. Regiment, and is 32 years of age. Previous to joining the army he was man-servant to the late Rev. F. M. Symonds, vicar of Old Dalby, for a considerable time. Our sympathy goes out to Mr. Harby and Miss Harby in their anxiety, and we trust better news will follow. On Friday January 4th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – UPPER AND NETHER BROUGHTON. – SOLDIER’S DEATH. It is with the deepest regret that we have to record the death from wounds of Pte. William Harby, only son of William Harby, joiner, of this village. The following letter was received on Wednesday morning – “29th Casualty Clearing Station, B.E.F., December 29th 1917. Dear Mr. Harby, - I regret to tell you that your son died here last night. He came here with a bad wound to his leg, and in spite of all he passed away rather suddenly. It will comfort you to know he was among friends here, and had every loving care and attention. He was so very quiet and good always. With very deep sympathy, believe me, yours sincerely, F. M. Rice (Matron.” The Chaplain also wrote a sympathetic letter. Deceased before enlisting was in the service of the late Rev. F. M. Symonds, Vicar of Old Dalby, and was a very highly respected and valued servant. Of a quiet, happy disposition he was a general favourite with all who knew him. Our sympathy goes out to his bereaved ones in their great trouble.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photograph of William Harby, described by his niece as a 'quiet and gentle man, unsuited for the war'- kindly submitted by family member, S Clark, 2018.