Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Ellen Harmer. The 1911 census records, Ellen Harmer, widow, born 1873 in Attleborough, Norfolk. The children were William, stepson, a Farm Labourer, born 1891, Harry, stepson, a Hosiery Hand Runner On, born 1894, Sidney, stepson, an Errand Boy, born 1896, all the stepchildren were born in Norwich, Norfolk, and Reginald, born 1899 in Loughborough, Leics.. The family were residing at 51, Nelson Street, Great Bowden, Leics. On Friday May 7th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – LEICESTERSHIRE TERRITORIAL’S CASUALTIES.
The following “Leicester’s” are reported prisoners of war: Private A. Board (7274), Private G. Narroway (7491), and Private J. Randall (6622), of the Leicestershire Regiment, are officially reported to be prisoners of war, Private L. W. Horne (2367) of the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Territorial’s), is reported wounded.
The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment, 5th Battalion (Territorial’s), are reported from Base, under date April 17th:-
KILLED.
Goode, 368, Private J., Harmer, 1090, Private W.
The War Diary for today records. WULVERGHEM. At 6.00pm 20 enemy shells fell in or near cooker and dugouts (percussion shrapnel, 1 failed explode) Casualties 2 killed 1 wounded. At 11.50pm Battn Order received cancelling expected relief by 4th Battn LEICESTERSHIRE REGT.