Rifleman John Harry Randall, R/128

  • Batt - 10
  • Unit - King's Royal Rifle Corps
  • Section -
  • Date of Birth - 1889
  • Died - 07/12/1915
  • Age - 26

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Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Randall, an agricultural labourer, born 1853 in Great Dalby, Leicestershire and his wife Agnes Ann Randall (nee Richardson, married in the 2nd quarter of 1875 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1865 in Great Dalby. John Harry was born in the 3rd quarter of 1889 in Thorpe Satchville, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Elizabeth Ann, a schoolgirl, born 1880, George Harry, a schoolboy, born 1884 and Thomas William, a schoolboy, born 1888, the latter three siblings were all born in Thorpe Satchville, in April 1891 the family home was at Barrow Road, Thorpe Satchville. In March 1901 John was residing in the family home at Thorpe Satchville together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Thomas, Albert, born 1891 and Agnes, born 1897, the latter two siblings were both born in Thorpe Satchville. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at Thorpe Satchville, residing there was his father, a domestic labourer, his mother and siblings, George, a domestic labourer, Thomas, a domestic labourer, Albert, a domestic labourer and Agnes, a schoolgirl, also residing with the family was John’s niece Agnes Minnie Randall, a schoolgirl, born 1903 in Thorpe Satchville, John was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing as a boarder at Fox Hill Garden, West Haddon, Northamptonshire. John was also referred to by his second Christian name of Harry at various times in his life, and enlisted into the Army under the name of Harry.
Harry attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three Years with the Colours) on the 2nd September 1914 in Rugby. He gave his place of birth as Thorpe Satchville, Leicestershire, his age as 25 years and his trade or calling as gardener. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6½ inches in height, weighed 139 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 2nd September 1914 in Rugby. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps at Winchester as a Rifleman, service number R/128 on the 3/9/14. Posted to the 7th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps on the 6/9/14. Posted to the 10th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps on the 21/9/14. Killed in action on the 7/12/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service 2/9/14 – 20/7/15, 322 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 21/7/15 – 7/12/15, 140 days. Total service 1 year 97 days. Harry was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory Medals. On the 12th January 1916 the following personal effects were forwarded to Harry’s father, John, note book, stationary, 2 photo’s, penknife, cotton handkerchief and compass. The following information was provided by Harry’s mother Mrs Agnes Anne Randall on the 28th June 1919, and was witnessed and signed by R. L. Johnson, Clerk in Holy Orders, Twyford, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Randall of Thorpe Satchville, Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, Agnes Ann Randall of Thorpe Satchville, Melton Mowbray. Full blood brothers of soldier, George Harry Randall, age 34 of Thorpe Satchville, Melton Mowbray, Thomas William Randall, age 32 of Thorpe Satchville, Melton Mowbray, Albert Randall, age 28 of 2, Violet Cottages, Beechwood -?-, Gateshead. Full blood sisters of soldier, Sarah Alice Westerman, age 44 of Great Dalby, Melton Mowbray, Mary Bertha Day, age 41 of Wartnaby Hall, Melton Mowbray, Elizabeth Ann Mennell, age 39 of Thorpe Satchville, Melton Mowbray, Agnes Randall, age 22 of Thorpe Satchville, Melton Mowbray. 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: 7 Dec-15 – RUE DU QUESNE. Direct hit made by German Artillery on one of our Machine Gun posts. 3 Riflemen killed, billet burnt and gun destroyed.
On Friday December 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – THORPE SATCHVILLE SOLDIER KILLED. (A photograph accompanied the article). It is with deep regret and much sympathy that we have to record the death (killed in action) of Rifleman Harry Randall, No. 128, aged 26 years, third son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Randall, of Thorpe Satchville. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family who are held in high esteem. Deceased who enlisted in Kitchener’s Army at the commencement of the war, was very popular with all with whom he came in contact. Prior to his enlistment he was in the gardens at Thorpe Satchville Hall for four years, and later in the same capacity at West Haddon Hall for six years. A beautiful and touching letter has been received from the commanding officer of the regiment, in which he states that deceased was a most dutiful and popular soldier, and in the machine gun section his merit and skill were very noticeable, while the loss to his section is very great. Had he lived a little longer he would have been promoted as N.C.O. Being buried by the Army Chaplain well within shell fire, and possibly within observation of the enemy, only a few friends were able to witness the last sad rites. There are two other members of the family now serving with the colours, and the good wishes of the whole village go out to them in their trouble. We must not omit to mention that Rifleman Randalls’ late schoolmaster, the staff of the school, and also the scholars with whom he was connected are loud in their expressions of sympathy and regret towards the bereaved and respected family. An impressive memorial service was held in the Parish Church on Sunday evening last. The vicar the Rev. J. Ellis, preached a most appropriate sermon from the fifth chapter of Hebrews, 16th verse. The rev. gentleman spoke of the high esteem in which deceased was held by the officers of the regiment, and also by all with whom he came in contact. Deceased’s favourite hymns “Forever with the Lord” and Peace perfect Peace” were effectively rendered by the choir. There was a large and representative congregation present who listened with great attention, the concluding hymn being “Now the labourer’s task is o’er.” The Dead March in “Saul” was played by the organist, Miss Elson, the congregation remaining standing.
On Friday December 8th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. – RANDALL.- In loving memory of a loving son and brother, Harry Randall, King’s Royal Rifles, killed December 7th, 1915, aged 26 years.
We miss his loving face and welcome smile.
Our hearts are broken, but a little while.
Soon we shall pass within the golden gate.
God comfort us. God help us, while we wait.
From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters and brothers, George and Len in France.

Leicestershire Project Findings
  • Conflict - World War I
Research from Michael Doyle's Their Name Liveth For Evermore
  • Unit - King's Royal Rifle Corps
  • Cause of death - KILLED IN ACTION
  • Burial Commemoration - Rue-du-Bois Mil. Cem., Fleurbaix, France
  • Born - Thorpe Satchville, Leicestershire
  • Enlisted - 02/09/1914 in Rugby, Warwickshire
  • Place of Residence - Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England

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