Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Richard Alfred and Christina Ketcher.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 19th, 1917

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Private Harold Edwin Ketcher, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who has been reported missing since July 16th, is now reported, unofficially, to have been killed. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Alfred Ketcher, of 31, Oxford Street, Coalville was 20 years of age, and formerly employed at Messrs. Stableford’s Works. His father is employed by Messrs. Brown and Sons, boot manufacturers, Coalville. Private T. Prestwick writes, “He went over with the first wave, and I went over with the second one, so I did not see him, for the first wave got into Fritz’s trench and the second was beaten back. So I did not see him, but the lads who were with him told me that he put up the best fight that day; he was bombing till the last. If he had come out of it alive he would have been recommended and got a medal for what he did. If I had thought there would have been any danger for him, I would have been beside him, no matter what it had cost, for after being together for so long, I think I could have comforted him in his last minute or so, but after having faced death so many times together, I never entertained the slightest doubt but that he would come through safe and sound. . . . . If I get to know where he is buried I will let you know. He suffered no pain, for he was shot through the head, and died almost at once. . . . All the lads who knew your son – and he was very popular – wish me to convey their deepest sympathy to you and your family in your great loss.” Father Degan, who since the report that Ketcher was missing, has been making enquiries, has also received a letter from a Roman Catholic chaplain, who writes, “I am only sorry that I cannot give Mrs Ketcher the news that she wants to hear. It is as certain as can be that her boy is dead. The evidence at the time was reasonably conclusive, but not technically so, to allow of his being officially entered as killed in action. Please offer Mrs Ketcher my most real and sincere sympathy. . . . Harold Ketcher was a good boy and a good soldier. His company officer is writing and will tell you how bravely he died.” Mr and Mrs Ketcher have two other soldier sons, one of whom is in Egypt.

Coalville Times article - Friday December 21st, 1917.

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Pte. Harold Edwin Ketcher, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, reported missing on June 16th, is now reported to have been killed in action on that date. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Stableford and Co. Coalville, and resided at 31, Oxford Street, Coalville. Two brothers are serving, one in France, and one in Egypt.

THANKS

Mr and Mrs R. A. Ketcher, and Family, 31, Oxford Street, Coalville wish to thank all those who have expressed sympathy with them in the loss of their son, and brother, Harold Edwin, killed in action.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 15th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mr and Mrs Ketcher, of Oxford Street, Coalville, have been officially notified of the death in action of their son, Private Harold Edwin Ketcher, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was 22 years of age and before the war worked for Messrs. Stableford and Co. A memorial service for deceased is to be conducted at the Holy Cross, Whitwick, on Sunday next, by the Rev. J. Degan, of Coalville.

WAR MEMORIAL UNVEILED AT WHITWICK

TABLET IN HOLY CROSS CHURCH

The Bishop of Nottingham, the Rev. Father Dunn, unveiled a memorial tablet in the Whitwick Holy Cross Church, on Sunday containing the names of 12 men, formerly connected with the church, who have made the supreme sacrifice in the war. The names and dates each recorded on small square bronze plates, and fixed on the tablet in three columns, are as follows:

Private James Cairns, Connaught Rangers, killed in action, August 21st, 1915.
Private A. C. Johnstone, 8th Leicesters, killed in action, September 1st, 1915.
Sapper B. Whittaker, 2nd Leicesters, killed in action, September 25th, 1915.
Private Edward Jarvis, Grenadier Guards, killed in action, October 17th, 1915.
Private Ed Hunt, 2nd Leicesters, killed in action, January 7th, 1916.
Private C. Stanford, 8th Leicesters, killed in action, July 14th, 1916.
Private Jos. Sheffield, 2nd Leicesters, killed in action, September 26th, 1916.
Lance-Corporal B. Morley, 2nd Leicesters, killed in action, April 23rd, 1917.
Private Harold Edwin Ketcher, 12th Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action, June 16th, 1917
Corporal A. Concannon, M.M. Sherwood Foresters, killed in action, July 31st, 1917.
Private William Beasley, 1st Leicesters, killed in action, September 11th, 1917.
Rifleman L. Haywood, Scottish Rifles, torpedoed at sea, December 30th, 1917.

The tablet, which is surmounted by a crucifix, reads, “In memory of our devoted heroes who fell in the great war. Your prayers are requested for the repose of the souls of (names)”.

At the foot appear the words, “May they rest in peace.” Space is left for the addition of any further names if this becomes necessary. There was a large congregation, including the relatives of the deceased soldiers, and after the unveiling, a memorial service was held. This was conducted by the Rev. M. J. O’Reilly, assisted by Father Degan of Coalville, and the Bishop preached the sermon.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 22nd, 1918

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT WHITWICK

SERMON BY FATHER DEGAN

An impressive memorial service in honour of Private Harold Edwin Ketcher (Coalville) of the Northumberland Fusiliers, missing since last June, and now officially reported killed in action in France, took place in the Whitwick Holy Cross Church on Sunday afternoon.

The coffin was represented by a catafalque, draped with the Union Jack, and a Guard of Honour was supplied by the local Volunteer Corps.

The Very Rev. Dean O’Reilly (rector) conducted the service, and Father Degan, of St. Saviour’s Church, Coalville, preached the sermon, in the course of which he said, “To pay homage to the memory of a young English soldier, fallen in battle, and solemnly to intercede for the repose of his soul is the twofold object of the concourse assembled here this afternoon. On June 16th of last year, the day after the Feast of the Sacred Heat, and a few hours after making a solemn act of consecration to our Blessed Lord, Harold Edwin Ketcher lost his life in a German trench, whilst putting up – in the unanimous opinion of those who witnessed it – such a conspicuously brave and brilliant fight as would have earned for him, had he survived, a rare and much-coveted military distinction. It is not necessary for the comfort and consolation of his proud but sorrowing relatives to remind you that this gargantuan conflict was not of our own making or of our own seeking.”

Father Degan went on to say that when the soldiers returned home they would be entitled to all those things which are reasonably desirable for the health and happiness of both soul and body. They had earned better conditions of living, and they would get them.

The service concluded with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The congregation included Mr and Mrs Ketcher, the parents of the deceased soldier, who reside in Oxford Street, Coalville, and a large number of non-Catholics.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 14th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear brother, Bombardier Harold Edwin Ketcher, who fell in action, June 16th, 1917. Aged 20.

From his loving Brother Bill, Wife and Family.

“One year has passed since that sad day.
When on we loved was called away.
God took him Home, it was His will,
But in our hearts we love him still.”

In ever loving memory of our dear Son and Brother, Bombardier Harold Edwin Ketcher, of the 12th Northumberland Fusiliers, who fell in action at Fontaine-les-Croixselles, June 16th, 1917. Aged 20.

“Bright is the sky above him;
Gone in his early days;
None knew him but to love him,
None knew him just to praise”

“We miss thee when the morning dawns;
We miss thee when the night returns;
We miss thee here, we miss him there,
My boy, we miss thee everywhere.”

R.I.P.

From his sorrowing Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers, Arthur (in Egypt) and Walter (in hospital).

St Saviour’s Bulletin

Vol. 1. November 1928 No. 4.

Published by Father Degen, The Catholic Church, Coalville, Leicester

Price – One Penny.

St. Saviour’s Roll of Honour

Edward Henry Hunt.
Joseph Sheffield.
Francis Edward Stafford.
Harold Edwin Ketcher.
William Ducksbury.
Allan Thorpe.
George Herbert Saddington.
Arthur Lovell.
John Mulrooney.

How vain is the wealth of flowers,
How vain is the mourner’s wreath,
How useless the marble tombstone,
To the dust that lies beneath.

How futile the empty praises,
How futile the tears that fall,
The sable and crape of mourning,
How empty and vain are all!

The voice of the dead is calling,
All through the wealth of flowers,
Not for our grief and tears.

Our own, our lost, our lov’d ones,
Oh! Could we but hear them speak;
Prayer is the flower they ask for,
Prayer is the wealth they seek.

More dear than the flower-lit grasses-
The fragrant churchyard sod-
One prayer for their souls to Jesus,
One prayer to the heart of God.

We can open the gates of heaven
By the wondrous key of prayer,
That the suffering souls may enter
The joy that awaits them there.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 13th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever-loving memory of our dear Son and Brother, Bombardier Harold Edwin Ketcher, 12th Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action, June 16th, 1917 at Fountaine Les Croiselles.

“Two years have passed since that sad day,
When one we loved was called away,
God took him Home; it was His will,
But in our hearts we love him still.”

R.I.P.

From his Sorrowing Mother and Father, Sisters and Brothers, and Walter abroad.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 24/12/2017