Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Harriman, a hosiery framework knitter, born 13th March 1862 in Sutton in the Elms, Leicestershire, and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Harriman, a wool trade reeler, born 1865 in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire. Fred was born in the 4th quarter of 1891 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, his siblings were, Ethel, a wool trade spinner, born 1888, Florence, born 1889, Nellie, born 1890, Tom, born 1894 and Harry, born 1896, the latter five siblings were all born in Leicester, also residing with the family was Fred’s widowed maternal grandmother, Fanny Haynes, born 1827 in Broughton Astley, in March 1901 the family home was at 12, Albion Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Fred was absent from the family home at 42, Napier Street, Leicester, residing there was his father a hosiery porter, his mother, a worsted reeler and his siblings, Ethel, a wool trade doubler, Florence, a hosiery trade mender, Nellie, a wool trade doubler, Tom, a needle maker, Harry, a shoe trade worker, Lesley, born 1907 and Samuel, born 1908, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester, Fred was employed as an iron moulders labourer and was residing as a boarder at 233, Penistone Road, Sheffield. His younger brother Tom fell in action on the 18th October 1914.
Fred’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Border Regiment, being allotted the service number 10529, and was posted as a Private to the 2nd Battalion Border Regiment and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 5th October 1914. He was reported missing in action on the 26th October 1914, and on the 1st December 1914 he was officially assumed to have died on that date. He was awarded the 1914 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 26 Oct-14 – KRUISEIK HILL. During the night of the 25th – 26th the enemy had advanced considerably and had concentrated in large numbers in woods and on our front. They launched an attack about 9:00am and succeeded in taking the front line trenches occupied by “A” and “B” Companies – the few survivors – (about 70 in all) retiring to the flanks and joining up in rear with the Scouts and Battalion Head Quarters. The enemy continued to advance en masse but were eventually held in check by the Scouts, under Lieutenant C. LAMB, Machine Gun under Lieutenant W. WATSON, and Battalion Head Quarters under Lieutenant Colonel L. WOOD. “C” Company under Captain L. E. H. MOLYNEUX-SEEL advanced up the hill to KRUISEIK in lines of platoons to support “A” and “B” and if necessary retake trenches but orders were received from Brigade Head Quarters for them to retire to ZANDVOORDE. At about 5:00pm Head Quarters Scouts and Machine Gun fell back on Brigade Head Quarters the 1st and 2nd Divisions having come up on our left the attack was commenced. The Battalion marched from Brigade Head Quarters at about 8:00pm and rested in a field near ZANDVOORDE for the night. In the afternoon “C” Company finding ZANDVOORDE in ruins on arrival marched through to YPRES and billeted. Casualties for the day were heavy:- Officers killed:- Captain’s C. G. W. ANDREWS, C. A. J. CHOLMONDELEY, E. H. H. LEES, Lieutenant J. B. B. WARREN. Officers wounded:- Major J. T. L. BOSANQUET, 2nd Lieutenant J. H. BEVES. Officers wounded and missing:- Lieutenant H. P. O. SLEIGH, 2nd Lieutenant C. G. V. SURTEES, 2nd Lieutenant C. H. EVANS. Other Ranks:- Killed:- 25. Wounded:- 65. Missing:- 174.
On Saturday February 20th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – News of the death of Private Fred Harriman, of the 2nd Border Regiment, whose mother lives at 42, Napier Street, Leicester, was received on Sunday. He had been missing since October 26th. His brother, Tom Harriman, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, was killed in action on October 18th.
On Saturday, February 20th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “Leicester’s Roll of Honour.” (A photograph accompanied the article) – Pte. Fred Harriman, 2nd Border Regiment, who was reported missing on October 26th. His mother, Mrs. Harriman, 42, Napier-street, received official notification of his death on February 10th. His brother, Private Tom Harriman, Royal Scots Fusiliers, was killed in action on October 18th.