Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Stafford Mansfield, a butcher, born 1863 in Barsby, Leicestershire, and baptised on the 4th January 1864 in Barsby and his wife Annie Kate Barsby (nee Hart, married in the 4th quarter of 1888 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 1862 in Wigston, Leicestershire. Harold was born in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in Queniborough, Leicestershire his siblings were, Stafford Rupert, born 1892 and Richard Norman, born in the 4th quarter of 1894, both his siblings were born in Queniborough, in Match 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Queniborough. In April 1911 Harold was employed as a railway clerk and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Queniborough, together with his father, a butcher, his mother and siblings, Stafford, a butcher, Richard, a butcher and Catherine Mary, a schoolgirl, born 1903 in Queniborough. Harold was awarded the British War and Victory medals. His younger brother Richard died from wounds received in action in April 1918.
The War Diary records: 3 Sep-16 – Trenches between FALFEMONT FARM and WEDGE WOOD. A general attack takes place against the Germans on the line HIGH WOOD – GUINCHY – GUILLEMONT – WEDGE WOOD – LE FOREST. French Army on right, then in sequence to the left: XIV Corps and XV Corps. Objectives for 13th Infantry Brigade (a) The capture of FALFEMONT FARM and main line for about 400 yards to right. This attack to be carried out previous to the main attack as the possession of the FARM leaves the French open to enfilade fire. (b) The capture of the German main line trenches from the left of the FARM to and including WEDGE WOOD. These attacks to be carried out (a) By 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS and (b) 14th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT. At 9.00am the 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS advanced to the attack, very gallantly and in splendid order. They were lost to sight over the ridge and from that moment until about 5.00pm the situation at the FARM remaining obscure as no message came back from the 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS. At 12.10pm, in conjunction with the 95th Brigade on the left “C” Company attacked the 1st objective viz the Gun-pits position in the valley running South West from WEDGE WOOD. This attack under Machine Gun fire from both FALFEMONT FARM and the Gun-pits did not succeed until 1.40pm. At 12.50pm “A” and “B” Companies attacked the second objective, viz the enemy’s trenches from left edge of FARM to left of WEDGE WOOD, in conjunction with 95th Brigade on left. As it transpired, the 2nd KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS had failed in their attack on the FARM. The 14th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT had therefore to advance with their right open to the concentrated fire from Machine Gun and rifle fire of FALFEMONT FARM. Under these conditions the impossible was being asked. Both Companies advanced very gallantly and in splendid spirit, but at once coming under very heavy Machine Gun fire and losing heavily, they began to wither away. “A” Company on the right bore the full brunt and soon dwindled away to a few remnants, which however continued to advance in the most undaunted manner. “B” Company on the left suffered almost as severely but struggling on managed to occupy and hold the front trench of the position, just South of WEDGE WOOD. In conclusion I would say that the behaviour of the Battalion was throughout magnificent and that it was no fault of theirs that the attack failed. Captain A. ADDENBROOKE and 2nd Lieutenant H. BARROW displayed splendid push and bravery during the attack on the Gun-pits position. I would also like to bear independent testimony to the splendidly fearless manner in which the 12th GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1st DUKE OF CORNWALL’S LIGHT INFANTRY – 95th Brigade – advanced on our left and captured their objectives, despite heavy losses. No sight could have been finer than these splendid Corps advancing at the walk, as if on parade, under a particularly violent artillery fire. Battalion Operation Orders (Appendix No.1) and Report on the attack (app No.2) are attached herewith. For the 5th Divisional Commanders speech to 13th Infantry Brigade see under date 8-9-16. Total casualties during the operations are:- Officers:- Killed, 2nd Lieutenant’s A. W. DOUGLAS and A. R. BRINKSWORTH. Wounded Captain A. ADDENBROOKE, 2nd Lieutenant’s POPPLETON, C. G., COSTIGAN, R. H., JACOBI, W. T., LANGLEY, E. W., SHEPPARD, N. M., BARROW, A. Other Ranks:- Killed or missing 142. Wounded 152. Total 293.
On Friday October 13th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – QUENIBOROUGH MAN KILLED. – Mr. and Mrs. Stafford Mansfield, of Queniborough, have sustained the loss of their second son, Private Harold Mansfield (23), killed in action on September 3rd. Private Mansfield, who had been out only about two months, was previously in the employ of the L. and N.W.R. Company at Coventry. At Queniborough, he was extremely popular, being an active member both of the C.C. and F.C. teams, while as an accomplished pianist his services were in great request at social functions. Of a generous and warm hearted temperament, his memory will be cherished by a large circle of friends.
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “QUENIBOROUGH.” – MEMORIAL SERVICE. – A memorial service was held in the Parish Church on Thursday evening for Captain C. H. Woodhouse and 15 others from the parish who have fallen in the war, viz. Lieut. Brooks, Lieut. T. Fox, Edward Lowe, Alfred Lowe, William Glover, Sydney Crawford, Max Crawford, Percy Ogden, Charles Stiff, Harold Mansfield, Richard Mansfield, Isaac Bursnell, William Cook.