Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
PD. 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. Tom was born in the 1st quarter of 1894 in Leicester, his siblings were, Ethel, a wool trade spinner, born 1888, Florence, born 1889, Nellie, born 1890 and Harry, born 1896, the latter four siblings were all born in Leicester, Fred, born 1892 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, also residing with the family was Tom’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 Tom was employed as a needle maker and was residing in the family home at 44, Napier Street, Leicester, together with his father, a hosiery trade porter, his mother a worsted reeler, and his siblings, Ethel a wool trade worker, Florence, a hosiery trade mender, Nellie a wool trade worker, Harry, a shoe trade worker, Leslie, born 1907 and Samuel, born 1908, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester. His elder brother Fred also fell. The Boy Scouts Association War Memorial records Tom’s initial as “P.”
Tom’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted on the 12th September 1913 into the Royal Scots Fusiliers, being allotted the service number 10894, and was posted as a Private to the 1st Battalion, it was with this unit that he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 22nd August 1914. He was awarded the 1914 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal. On enlistment he gave his trade or calling as Grocer’s Assistant.
The War Diary records: 18 Oct-14 – The 9th Brigade ordered to attack HERLIES, a position of which was still held by the Germans, and the 7th Brigade were ordered on ILLIES. The objective of the ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS was the CHATEAU, South of HERLIES, with the LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT in Reserve. The Chateau was enclosed in a wood, about 1,600 yards from our position. The ground from the North end of the wood gradually rose to the LA BASSEE road. The ground over which the attack was made was a considerable dip, with a small farm at the bottom. The ground was intersected with ditches with a small wood on our left flank. The Germans were entrenched on the near side of the CHATEAU wood, and on East and West of it. At least two guns and Machine Guns were on the East of the wood. “A” Company advanced under Captain HUNT with the centre of the CHATEAU wood as his objective, with “B” Company on his left in echelon under Captain BROWNE. On the right were the 7th Brigade, the 5th FUSILIERS were some way in rear on our left at HERLIES. “A” Battery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY supported our attack, and the Machine Gun under Lieutenant BADHAM, moved between “A” and “B” Company’s. The leading Company’s advanced to within 500 yards of the CHATEAU wood exposed to a heavy rifle and shell fire, when I ordered a halt as it was found the 5th FUSILIERS were unable to advance and our left flank was therefore dangerously exposed. Whilst this advance was taking place, the Reserve “C” and “D” Company’s were heavily shelled by high explosives which caused considerable casualties. About 5:15pm orders were received to continue the advance, and “C” Company under Captain BOYLE were ordered to support “A” Company. It was now getting dark. About 6:00pm fresh orders were received to withdraw to a position in rear. By this time the leading Company had approached within 60 yards of the wood, but “A” Company had moved to the left and “C” Company was level on the right, opposite the CHATEAU wood. Lieutenant LYON, acting adjutant was despatched with the order for the Company to retire, and he reached “C” Company who were still advancing Captain BOYLE and Lieutenant LYON reconnoitred to the front as far as the CHATEAU wood, when they were fired on from both corners of the wood. On retiring they found themselves in a German trench. Lieutenant LYON realising what had happened, went back to “C” Company and collecting as many men as he could, charged the trench. No trace of Captain BOYLE could be found. There was a considerable number of dead Germans in the trench. The order to retire was then given and the Companies fell back in good order. The order to withdraw was issued from 9th Brigade Headquarters because the remainder of the Brigade was unable to advance on our left. A new position was entrenched on rear of the CHATEAU wood. Casualties: Captain S. F. A. A. HURT and Lieutenant COZENS-BROOKS, killed, whilst advancing to the attack; Captain J. V. PATON, D.S.O., Lieutenant F. V. T. DUNNE, Lieutenant W. TULLIE, and 2nd Lieutenant C. E. GRAEME wounded. Captain the Hon. J. BOYLE and 2nd Lieutenant H. W. F. BARTON missing, NCO’s and men; 20 killed and 100 wounded.
On Saturday November 21st 1914 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTER EX-SCOUT KILLED.” – Private Tom Harriman, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, whose home is at 42, Napier Street, Leicester, was killed in action on October 18. He was aged 21, and joined the colours in September, 1912. His death will be greatly deplored in local Boy Scout circles. Harriman was one of the first ten Scouts in Leicester, and in August of 1911 he walked, with other boys, from camp at Great Glenn to Mablethorpe, a distance of 101 miles, in 24 hours. At the time he joined the army he was Assistant Scoutmaster of the 5th Leicester Troop. In practically all branches of athletics he showed marked ability, and his genial and optimistic personality will be much missed. He is the first ex-Scout of Leicester to be killed.
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 Friday November 20th 1914 The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – Private Tom Harriman, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, whose home is at 42, Napier-street, Leicester, was killed in action on October 18. Harriman was one of the first ten Scouts in Leicester, and in August of 1911, he walked with other boys, from camp at Great Glenn to Mablethorpe, a distance of 101 miles, in 24 hours. At the time he joined the Army he was Assistant Scoutmaster of the 5th Leicester Troop.