Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Harratt, an agricultural labourer, born 1857 in Monks Kirby, Warwickshire and his wife Sarah Ann Harratt (nee Reeves, married on the 6th November 1883 in Monks Kirby, Warwickshire), born 1863 in Stretton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire. Tom was born on the 21st November 1890 in Monks Kirby and baptised on the 17th April 1891 in Monks Kirby, his siblings were, John, born 1885, Ada Sarah, born 1886 and William born on the 5th November 1888, all his siblings were born in Monks Kirby, in April 1891 the family home was at Bond End, Monks Kirby. In March 1901 Tom was residing in the family home at Main Street, Ratby, Leicestershire, together with his father, a granite quarry worker, his mother and siblings, John, a granite quarry worker, Ada, a hosiery trade worker, twins, Joseph and Hilda Mary born in the 3rd quarter of 1893 and George, born 1896, the latter three siblings were all born in Monks Kirby. In the 2nd quarter of 1908, Tom’s father died in the Market Bosworth, Leicestershire district, aged 51. In April 1911 Tom was employed as a groom and was residing in the family home at Station Road, Ratby, together with his widowed mother and siblings, John, a coal miner, Ada, a hosiery trade worker, Hilda, a hosiery trade worker, Joseph a stone quarry worker and George, a stone quarry worker. Tom’s service record did not survive, however one document does exist from the Lichfield Infantry Records Office that records that Tom had suffered a gunshot wound to the forearm and was admitted to the 13th General Hospital, Boulogne, France on the 26th April 1915. One younger brother Joseph, fell in action and an elder brother William, died in 1920 having survived his war service.
The War Diary records: - 22 Apr-17 - At midnight orders received as follows:- 28th Brigade less 53rd SIKHS (who were with 21st Brigade and rejoined 28th Brigade later) and 56th RIFLES (still at station and rejoined 28th Brigade later) will move forward to left bank of DUJAIL CANAL starting at 4.00am. Position reached about 5.30am. Here the Brigade halted until 7.45am when pursuit of enemy was taken up, they having evacuated their position entirely. 28th Brigade passed through 19th and 21st Brigade’s in artillery formation. The Battalion leading with right flank on TIGRIS. 56th RIFLES on left with left flank on railway. The above supported by 51st and 53rd SIKHS respectively. Battalion formation “B”, “A” and “D” Companies in front from left to right in 2 lines of platoons at 50 paces interval and 150 paces distance. “C” Company in 2 lines of platoons 300 paces distant from rear of leading Companies. Strong patrols pushed well forward from “B” and “D” Companies. Turks were shelling column but all shells dropping well in rear. Patrols from “B” and “D” Companies came under enemy rifle fire about 12.00 noon at point where Police Post in square 6.E (TC.97). Patrols push on followed by “B”, “A” and “D” Companies in extended order, “C” Company and Battalion Headquarters at wall by Police Post at 12.45pm. At 1.15pm “B” Company report. “Enemy in position about 1200 yards to my front and under fire from about 400 rifles and some machine guns.” “D” Company report. “Enemy’s position appears to be high ridge about 1800 yards from here.” “D” Company then about 800 yards in advance of Police Post. “B” Company report at 2.00pm. “Cannot push on until troops on my left (56th RIFLES) are level with me Turks ½ left are enfilading.” 28th Brigade Headquarters arrive at WALL and orders received to remain in present position awaiting orders. At 3.20pm orders for assault of enemy position received:- At 4.20pm 2nd LEICESTERSHIRES supported by 51st SIKHS will assault and capture enemy position. The assault will be preceded by a bombardment of 20 minutes. 56th RIFLES will not advance nearer to enemy line than 500 yards till assault takes place when they will press forward and capture the line opposite to them under a Howitzer bombardment. MACHINE GUN COMPANY will co-operate from WALL. Orders served to Companies “B”, “A” and “D” to advance under bombardment and be at assaulting distance at 4.20pm, “C” Company to be in reserve on right. Artillery from left bank TIGRIS co-operated with our supporting artillery. By 4.30pm position entirely captured some 200 yards north west of point 216 (TC.97). Battalion Headquarters at point 216. Over 300 prisoners captured by Battalion, including several officers, also 2 Machine Guns. Message received from “A” Company about 5.00pm that 5 guns including two 5.9 captured. Shortly after message received from “B” Company, 3 guns captured. Enemy massed for counter attack 2000 Turks in front of “B” Company who are holding captured guns with 40 men. 1500 Turks attacking “A” Company’s front. Brigade asked urgently to send up reinforcements, but only ½ Battalion 53rd SIKHS sent. Brigade again asked to send up reinforcements to save guns being lost. After very long interval 28th and 92nd PUNJABIS sent up, but too late. Masses of Turks counter attacked and it was impossible to hold guns with small force. At 7.00pm “A” Company report. “Strongly counter attacked by 1500 Turks had to vacate guns and stores am digging in.” Captured position consolidated. Line taken up as follows, from TIGRIS – 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT (“C”, “A”, “D”, “B” with machine gun section), 51st SIKHS, 53rd SIKHS, 28th PUNJABIS, 92nd PUNJABIS (with left on railway). Enemy position strewn with Turkish dead. Artillery from left bank had done particularly heavy damage. Besides prisoners and machine guns captured, huge numbers of rifles and quantities of ammunition were taken. Quiet night. Enemy after retaking guns in full flight. Our casualties, officers killed 2nd Lt E. L. HALL M.C., 2nd Lt G. S. HEBDEN. Officers wounded, Capt P. H. CREAGH D.S.O. (did not quit), 2nd Lt J. R. WARREN, 2nd Lt H. J. GRANT-ANDERSON, 2nd Lt H. W. G. WESTLAKE M.C. and Lt U. H. E. SOWTER who afterwards died of wounds, other ranks 18 killed, 101 wounded. Day warm. A great day in the annals of the Battalion.
The War Diary records: - 23 Apr-17 - At dawn “A” Company patrolled to the front for 1½ miles. No sign of enemy. 8th Brigade passed through followed by 19th and 21st Brigade’s. At 12.00 noon 28th Brigade marched and bivouacked near SAMARRA STATION arriving about 3.00pm. 8th Brigade 1½ miles to our front finding picquet.
On Saturday May 22nd 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – Pte. T. Harratt, 2nd Leicester’s, was seriously wounded in France on April 27th. His sister, Mrs. W. Ball, resides at Station Road, Ratby.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photographs of Tom and his brothers Joseph and William, kindly supplied by Mr J. Harratt, Great-nephew, 04/11/2014.