Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick George Gough, an auctioneer, born 1849 in Gloucestershire and his wife Sarah Ann Gough (nee Bright, married in the 2nd quarter of 1873 in the Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales district), born 1854 in Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales. Harry Percy Bright was born on the 18th January 1880 in Llanelly, his siblings were, William George, a schoolboy, born 1875 and Charles Frederick Ernest, a schoolboy, born 1878, both his siblings were born in Llanelly, in April 1881 the family home was at 40, Murray Street, Llanelly. In April 1891 Harry was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Murray Street, Llanelly together with his father, an auctioneer, his mother and siblings, William, an engineer’s apprentice turner, Charles, a schoolboy, Emily, a schoolgirl, born 1881, and Maggie Louise, a schoolgirl, born 1883 the latter two siblings were both born in Llanelly. In March 1901 Harry was engaged as a medical student and was residing in the family home at Wellfield, New Road, Llanelly together with his widowed mother, living on her own means, and siblings Charles a tin plate works cashier and Maggie, also residing in the family home was Harry’s married maternal Aunt, Louisa C. Bright, born 1847 in Maesteg, Glamorganshire, Wales. In April 1911 Harry was engaged as a County Council schoolmaster and was residing as a boarder at 36, Wyresdale Road, Lancaster, Lancashire. Harry was married to Martha Reid Gough, who was the daughter of Mr and Mrs J. W. Fullerton of Shellfield, Ramelton, County Donegal, Ireland, his widow was left with two children, who resided at The Firs, Gowerton, Glamorganshire, Wales.
Harry was educated at Llandovery school between 1894 and 1899 before matriculating to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1900, here he was successful both from an academic and sporting standpoint playing hockey for his college and rugby for Cambridge Welsh, he graduated with a First Class Honours degree in 1902 and a First Class Natural Science Tripos, in 1903. He then obtained a position as an Assistant Master at Neuenheim College, Heidelberg, Germany, where he remained for 2 years after which he was engaged as Science Master at Lancaster Grammar School for 7 years, here he played rugby for the Vale of Lune RUFC, and Llannely, and was also a member of Lancaster Golf Club as well as playing hockey and cricket. In 1911 he became Science Master at Oakham Grammar School where he remained until the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, leaving to enlist in the 14th Swansea Battalion of The Welsh Regiment. In 1915 Harry was commissioned and posted to the 17th Battalion Welsh Regiment and in 1916 was promoted to Captain, embarking with his Battalion for France on the 1st July 1916. The Battalion joined the 119th Brigade, 40th Bantam Division, and moved to the front near Loos. Later in 1916 they moved to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of the Ancre, here they remained through the winter when in March 1917, after the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line the 40th Division followed the withdrawal. On 24th April 1917, there was a mile long advance at Villers Plouich, where a position was consolidated. This was the top of a spur, which the Battalion named Rhondda Hill; but this was later officially re-designated Welsh Ridge. Harry distinguished himself in a successful action, south of La Vacquerie on 18/19th May, when a trench raid resulted in the capture of an enemy Machine Gun and two unwounded prisoners, at no loss of life to his own men. For his part in the operation, Harry was awarded the Military Cross. His citation read “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has done splendid work when in charge of parties recovering mines. He was also instrumental in rescuing eight men from a demolished cellar. This work was accomplished under heavy fire, and occupied several hours.” During the autumn of 1917, Harry’s Battalion was in support of 12th Battalion South Wales Borderers and the 19th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the attempt to capture the stronghold of Bourlon Wood, during the Battle of Cambrai. His Battalion suffered heavy casualties, losing 17 officers and 301 other ranks. Harry, who now held the rank of Major, found himself in command of the Battalion, in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, who had been wounded. He was awarded a Bar to his Military Cross for his actions here, however, by this time the 17th Battalion had virtually ceased to exist, and on the 15th February 1918 at Bailleulmont Harry was transferred to the newly formed 9th Entrenching Battalion. The Division were caught up in heavy fighting during the spring of 1918, during the German Offensive on the Lys, and were in positions near Mont de Cats, near Ypres. Henry was sent to command a section of the East Surrey Regiment, which was defending a support trench system running north to south through Strazeele. Here, on the 13th April 1918, Harry was severely wounded, and died on the 22nd April in the 44th Casualty Clearing Station.
On Friday August 23rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “OAKHAM.” – FROM THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – Major Harry Percy Bright Gough, M.C., Welsh Regt., of The Firs, Gowerton, Glam., at the outbreak of the war science master at Oakham Grammar School, who died from wounds on April 22nd, youngest son of the late, Mr. Gough, of Llanelly, left £2,516.4s.3d. Probate is granted to his brother Charles F. E. Gough, tinplate manufacturer.