Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Sutton, a shoe trade riveter, born in the January quarter of 1860 in Leicester (son of John Sutton, 1831 and Elizabeth White, 1833) and his wife Emma Sutton (nee Orton, married in the October quarter of 1883 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a grocer, born in the July quarter of 1859 in Blaby and baptised on the 4th September 1859 in All Saint’s Church, Blaby (daughter of William Orton and Catherine Green). Harold was born in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Blaby, his siblings were, George Henry, a shoe trade riveter, born in the January quarter of 1885, Horace, born in the April quarter of 1889, Elsie Miriam, born in the July quarter of 1893, Gordon, born in the April quarter of 1895, the latter four siblings were all born in Blaby and Eveline, born in the January quarter of 1900 in Glen Parva, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Saffron Lane, Glen Parva. In April 1911 Harold was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at 77, Clifford Street, South Wigston, Leicestershire, together with his father, a shoe trade worker, his mother and siblings, George, a shoe trade machinist, Miriam, a shoe trade machinist, Gordon, a butcher’s boy, Eveline, a schoolgirl and Lily, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1902 in Glen Parva. Harold’s older brother, Gordon fell in action on the 2nd May 1915.
Harold attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years’ Service in the United Kingdom on the 27th March 1912 in Wigston, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as Blaby, Leicestershire his age as 17 years and 1 month and his trade or calling as shoe trade. He gave his home address as 45, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his mother, Mrs Emma Sutton of 45, Kirkdale Road, Wigston, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5- foot 8¾ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 30 and 33½ inches. His physical development was described as good. His vision was good. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 27th March 1912 in Wigston, Leicestershire. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 1512 on the 27/3/12. Posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 27/3/12. Attended annual training at Aberystwyth on the 4/8/12 – 11/8/12. Attended annual training at Grantham on the 3/8/13 – 10/8/13. Promoted Corporal on the 30/4/14. Embodied service commenced on the 5/8/14. Reduced to Private on the 1/6/15. Reported missing in action in the field on the 13/10/15. Reported killed in action on the 13/10/15. Buried by the Officer Commanding 4th Battalion Grenadier Guards. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 27/3/12 – 1/3/15, 2 years 340 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 13/10/15, 206 days. Total service 3 years and 201 days. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Harold’s sister Evelyn on the 24th October 1919, and was witnessed and signed by J. C. O Black, J.P. for Leicestershire, South Wigston, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Sutton of 45, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston. Mother of soldier, Emma Sutton of 45, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston. Full blood sisters of soldier, Elsie M. Sutton, age 26, Evelyn Sutton, age 20, Lily Sutton, age 18, all of 45, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston. Harold’s surviving service documents are in a 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: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Saturday May 15th 1915, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “WIGSTON MAN KILLED.” – The parents of Private Gordon Sutton, of the Wigston Company, 4th Leicester’s, who reside at South Wigston, have received information from Captain Haylock, concerning the death of their son, who was killed in action on 2nd May. Private Sutton was formerly a scholar at the South Wigston School, and played in the school Rugger team. Last season he played with the “A” team, and helped to win the Junior Shield. He occasionally assisted the first team, being a plucky and dashing forward. His brother Harold, also an “A” team player, is with the same battalion. Another brother Horace, formerly served in the 2nd Welsh Regiment. The father, Mr. John Sutton, a well-known local cricketer, also served his King and country, going through the Afghan campaign, with the King’s Liverpool Regiment under the leadership of Lord Roberts.
On Thursday, November 18th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. - THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – Private H. SUTTON, B Company, 1st/4th Leicester’s, missing since October 13th, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Sutton, 45, Kirkdale-road, South Wigston, who would be glad of any news. Private Sutton is 19 years of age, and was in the Territorials when the war broke out.

On Thursday, December 2nd, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Corporal H. SUTTON, 1/4th Leicester’s, who was killed in action in the great charge on October 13th, was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Sutton, of 45, Kirkdale-road, South Wigston. He was 18 years of age. His brother, Private Gordon Sutton, was killed in action on May 2nd, 1915.
And in the same edition under the heading. – LEICESTER’S FALLEN AND MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Cpl. H. SUTTON, 4th Leicester’s, killed on Oct. 13th. His parents reside at 45, Kirkdale-road, South Wigston. His brother, Pte. Gordon Sutton, was killed on May 2nd.