Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joe Rouse, a cowman, born 1866 in Little Compton, Warwickshire and his wife Emma Maria Rouse (nee Taylor, married in the 4th quarter of 1892 in the Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire district), born 1871 in Bourton on the Hill, Gloucestershire. Harry was born in on the 27th October 1898 in Morton Bagot, Warwickshire, and was baptised on the 27th November 1898 in Morton Bagot, his siblings were, Victor William, born 26th September 1887 in Bourton on the Hill and Ernest Edgar, born 1898, in Morton Bagot, also residing in the family home was Harry’s uncle, Joseph Hawe, a farm labourer, born 1878 in Gloucestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Netherstead, Morton Bagot, Alcester. In April 1911 Harry was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Grange Cottages, Barkby, Leicestershire, together with his father a general farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Ernest, a schoolboy,
Dorothy May, a schoolgirl, born 1902, Horace, a schoolboy, born 1905, Hilda, a schoolgirl, born 1908 and Joseph, born 1910, the latter four siblings were all born in Newbold Pacey, Warwickshire.
Harry attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 9th September 1916 in Loughborough. He gave his home address as 34, Albion Road, Loughborough, his age as 17 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as brickyard hand. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his mother, Emma Rouse of 34, Albion Road, Sileby, as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 108 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches. It was noted during his medical examination that he had hammer toes and varicoceles. After attestation on the 9/9/16 in Loughborough he was transferred as Private, service number 204003 to the Army Reserve on the 9/9/16. Mobilized on the 26/2/17 in Leicester. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 26/2/17.Posted to the 1st Garrison Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 3/3/17. Transferred to the 9th Bn. Royal Defence Corps and allotted the service number 60690 on the 18/8/17. Transferred to the 3/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Territorial Force) at Easington Camp on the 25/9/17. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 19/11/17. Posted to the Infantry Brigade Depot on the 20/11/17. Posted to the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and allotted the service number of 38021 on the 23/11/17. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Harry’s father Joe Rouse on the 29th August 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Fred Leigh Burrow, Vicar of Sileby, Sileby Vicarage, Loughborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, J. Rouse of 49, Albion Road, Sileby. Mother of soldier E. Rouse of 49, Albion Road, Sileby. Full blood brothers of soldier, William Rouse, age 32, of 49, Albion Road, Sileby. E. E. Rouse, age 22, No. 93775, Private, Northumberland Fusiliers. of P.O.W, Ladbroke, Warwickshire. Joseph Rouse, age 10 of 49, Albion Road, Sileby. James J. Rouse, age 3 of 49, Albion Road, Sileby. Full blood sisters of soldier, Ellen Rouse, age 25 of 49, Albion Road, Sileby. Dorothy Rouse, age 17 of 49, Albion Road, Sileby.
Harry’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 24 Mar-18 - Before daybreak position was taken up about 1500/2000 yards in advance of present line, withdrawal eventually taking place through HAUT-ALLAINES on to HARDACOURT. Here position was taken up on high ground, whilst a Battalion of HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY went through us and counter attacked. Counter attack being stopped they withdrew to our position and we then marched through MARICOURT on to BRAY, where the remainder of the night was spent.
On Friday May 31st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The following local casualties have been officially reported during the past week:- From Yesterday’s list:- Missing: Leicestershire Regt. – Buxton, 40700 G. (Sileby); Marriott, 25811 S. (Asfordby); Rouse, 38021 H. (Sileby).