Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Luke Makepeace, a warehouseman, born on the 27th June 1862 in Coventry, Warwickshire (son of Joseph Makepeace, 1821-1893 and Mary Ann Westwick, 1823-1862) and his wife Eliza Makepeace (nee Cox, married in the October quarter of 1881 in Leicester), born in the January quarter of 1858 in Tur Langton, Leicestershire and baptised on the 3rd January 1858 in The Chapelry, Tur Langton (daughter of George Cox, 1832 and Ann Burrows, 1830). Harold Westwick (Harry) was born in the January quarter of 1889 in Leicester, his siblings were, Ethel Annie, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1882 in Tur Langton and George Cox, a schoolboy, born in the July quarter of 1885 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 28, Blake Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Harold was residing in the family home at 11, Abney Street, Leicester, together with his father, a commercial traveller, his mother and siblings, Ethel, a hosiery trade maker up. George, a boot manufacturer’s clerk and Arthur Cyril, born on the 10th March 1900 in Leicester. In April 1911 Harold was employed as a motor car painter and was residing in the family home at Grasmere, East Park Road, Leicester, together with his father, a brush manufacturer, his mother and sibling, Arthur, a schoolboy.
Harry enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 1st September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 2543. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 25 years 7 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as painter.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 1st September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Leicester, declared age as 25 years 210 days, trade or occupation as painter, that he was 5-feet 5 inches in height and had a chest measurement of between 35 and 38 inches. Enlisted at Leicester on the 1st September 1914. Joined on enlistment 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 25 years 7 months, height 5-feet 5 inches and chest measurement of between 35 and 38 inches. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 1st September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Mr. Makepeace, 346, East Park Road, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 1/9/14.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 1/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. 1/9/14.
Reported. Missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Assumed to have died on or since. 13/10/15.
Struck off strength of Bn. from 10/12/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/9/14 – 1/3/15. 182 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 1 year 43 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Friday, November 26th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Private H. MAKEPEACE, B Company of the 1st/4th Leicester Regiment, is reported missing since the charge on the “Hohenzollern Redoubt,” on the 13th October last, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Makepeace, Grasmere, East Park-road. Any information regarding their son would be gratefully received by his parents.
The Temperance Hall Memorial plaque is now located in Bishop Street Methodist Church, Leicester.