Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Pollard, an ordinary agricultural labourer, born 1855 in Market Overton, Rutland and his wife Ann Pollard (nee Royce, married in the 3rd quarter of 1879 in the Oakham, Rutland district), born 1856 in Exton, Rutland. Harry was born on the 26th September 1894 in Market Overton, and baptised on the 27th January 1895 in Market Overton Parish Church, his siblings were Edward, born on the 29th February 1888 in Market Overton, and baptised on the 22nd July 1888 in Market Overton Parish Church and Evelyn Alice, born 1892, baptised on the 7th August 1892 in Market Overton Parish Church, both his siblings were born in Market Overton, in March 1901 the family home was at The Three Horseshoes, Thistleton Road, Market Overton. In April 1911 Harry was employed as an apprentice baker and was residing in the family home at Wymondham, Leicestershire, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Alfred, a general labourer, born 1st March 1886 in Market Overton, baptised on the 23rd May 1886 in Market Overton Parish Church and Edward, a general labourer, born 1888. Harry had older siblings as follows, Susannah, born on the 13th September 1879 in Market Overton, baptised on the 12th October 1879 in Market Overton Parish Church, John William, born 1881 in Barrow, Rutland, Mary Ann, born 1883 in Cottesmore, Rutland and Peter Cyril, born on the 27th February 1890 in Market Overton, baptised on the 11th May 1890 in Market Overton Parish Church. His elder brother Edward fell in action in April 1918.
Harry attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservist’s) to serve an engagement of 1 year on the 5th September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 346 days and his trade or calling as groom. He gave his present address as 11, Booth Lane, Melton Mowbray. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Joseph Pollard and his Mother, Ann Pollard both of West End, Wymondham, Melton Mowbray, his Brother Cyril Pollard of 29, Framland Street, Leicester and his Sister Evelyn Pollard of 29, Framland Street, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 136 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army Reserve on the 5th September 1914 in Melton Mowbray. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 13057 on the 5/9/14. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Aldershot on the 24/9/14. Posted to Perham Down on the 8/4/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Admitted to the 63rd Field Ambulance suffering from myalgia on the 6/12/17. Transferred to -?- on the 6/12/17. Transferred to -?- on the 8/12/17. Transferred to England on the 16/12/17. Posted to the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment on the 17/12/17. Admitted to the Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital, Taplow, Buckinghamshire suffering from myalgia from the 17/12/17 to the 29/1/18. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 14/2/18. Posted to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 31/3/18. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 8/5/18. Joined the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the -?-. Posted missing in action on the 27/5/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 5/9/14 – 28/7/15, 327 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 27/5/18, 2 years 303 days. Total service 3 years 205 days. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Harry’s mother Ann Pollard on the 5th September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by F. B. A. Williams, Clerk in Holy Orders, Wymondham Rectory, Oakham on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Joseph Pollard of Wymondham, Oakham. Mother of soldier, Ann Pollard of Wymondham, Oakham. Full blood brothers of soldier, John William Pollard, age 37 of 83, Duke Street, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield. Alfred Pollard, age 35 of 10, Ann Street, Melton Mowbray. Cyril Pollard, age 30 of Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Mary Pollard, age 33 of 29, Framland Street, Leicester. Evelyn Pollard, age 26 of 9, Trent Street, Leicester. 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 27 May-18 12.30 am. Brigade Headquarters moved to Battalion Headquarters TENAILLE DE GUISE. 1.00 am. Hostile bombardment began, trench mortars and field guns East of canal, 10.5 and 15cm on main resistance line West of canal and on CORMICY – CAUROY ROAD. -?- gas and then about 50% phosgene shells were used West of canal. Smoke was greatly used East of canal. 3.15 am. The enemy attacked our front system, the pressure being chiefly from the North, old communication trenches were greatly used by the enemy. The two front Companies filled in their post blocks and fought their positions to the end. 6.15 am. Enemy penetrated into LA NEUVILLE. Shelling an area West of canal increased, gas shelling having then ceased. 7.20 am. Enemy crossed canal and pushed forward in long grass towards main resistance line. 8.40 am. Enemy captured P.C. ROUMANIE and then continued bombing down to BOZAN D’ECLUSE SUD until he reached TOURNAI TRENCH. RIGA post was still holding out and heavy bombing was going on in the vicinity of it. The enemy twice attempted to attack the main resistance line from the front with lines of waves but these were defended with rifle and light gun fire, MARCEAU and HOCHE posts inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy during these attacks. He then started long bombing attacks assisted by light trench mortars on the posts along the communication trenches. 6.15 am. HOCHE was captured and the line to the North West had fallen to within 200 yards of CORMICY. A defensive flank was formed between CORMICY and MARCEAU facing North West. 12.30 pm. The Garrison at MARCEAU held off all frontal and bombing attacks by enemy until 12.30 pm when the post was captured by great superiority of numbers. Heavy concentration of artillery on TENAILLE DE GUISE. 2.45 pm. Many efforts by the enemy to take TENAILLE DE GUISE from the front were repulsed and he again developed heavy bombing attacks on the post. Heavy casualties were inflicted on their bombing parties. 3.00 pm. The small Garrison that remained at the post was driven in and withdrew to the sunken road junction South East of CORMICY. 4.00 pm. The enemy occupied the BOUFFIGNEREUX ROAD North West of CORMICY and his patrols had reached the CAUROY ROAD to the South East. A frontage of about 700 yards was taken up on the high ground 300 yards South West of CORMICY and the details that remained organised into five small posts. The left was in touch with the 62nd Brigade but on the right there was a big gap watched only by an Officer’s patrol. The high ground was heavily shelled until about 7.00 pm. 6.30 pm. The enemy continued his attack from the South East in the open. Making excellent targets for light guns. 7.45 pm. The enemy penetrated our line on the left and worked round behind the small posts held by the Battalion. 8.00 pm. Report received from Officer Commanding 2nd LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT that the enemy were in the CHALONS DE VERGEUR valley. The few Headquarters details still remaining then withdrew with the 2nd LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT. 11.00 pm. 40 stragglers arrived at VAUX VARENNES and these with 10 men of Battalion Headquarters were handed over to form a Composite Battalion from the Brigade under command of the Officer Commanding 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.
On Friday July 19th 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 names have appeared in the official casualty lists published during the past week: - From Wednesday’s list: - Missing. - Leicestershire Regt. – Pollard, 13057 H. (Melton Mowbray).
On Friday October 25th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “WYMONDHAM.” – MISSING SOLDIERS. – Mr. and Mrs. Pollard, Wymondham, Oakham is most anxious for news of their son 13057 Pte. Harry Pollard, 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, A Company, B.E.F., France, who has been missing since 27th May, 1918. The parents will be extremely obliged if any reader, or soldier, can give them any information at all.