Serjeant  service no 13832  8th Bn Norfolk Regiment.

 

Kia  19th July 1916   aged 20

 

Thiepval Memorial  pier and face. 1C and 1D.

 

Son of James William and Sarah Maria Harrod of Barney Guist Norfolk.

 

1911 Census.  Lived at 44 the Street Barney.

 

Name.                            Age.            Occupation.                                              Where born.

James William Harrod   43    Head   Plate layer M.G.N. Railway                          Briston

Sarah Maria Harrod       48    Wife   18 yrs  Married                                              Manchester.

Robert James Harrod     15    Son     Apprentice Boiler maker M.G.N. Railway     Barney

Ethel Mary Harrod     10  Dau       School                                                            Barney    

Ivy Gertude Harrod      6  Dau      School                                                            Barney                                                

Elsie May Harrod        9   Niece   School                                           Thornton Heath Croydon.

 

The couple had another daughter who was 17 in 1911, so was possible at another address.

 

In 1923 she married, and was a Mrs Sharman, who died in 1973 in Sutton greater London.

 

This is possibly where Robert died.

 

The Official History of the Great War 1916 Volume 2 Includes the following passage for the 19th July 1916.

 

"The next attack was made, under Corps Orders, in the morning by Br-General H W Higginson's 53rd Brigade (18th Division), which had now been lent to the 9th Division. Brought forward hurriedly, unfed, and with no time for reconnaissance, the 8/Norfolk advanced from the South Western edge of Longueval at about 7.15 am on the 19th July, too late to take advantage of the barrage: but after a struggle, the battalion cleared the southern portion of Deville Wood, although the Germans had been reinforced. Later the other battalions - 10/Essex, 6/ R Berkshire and 8/Suffolk renewed the attack without much result, except to strengthen the positions which had already been reached. Fighting continued for the rest of the day, but the German bombardment, which repeatedly cut all the signal wires, made difficult for even brigade headquaters to keep in touch with the situation. At night the 3rd Division began to relieve the troops of the 9th Division but not the 53rd Brigade or the South Africans who were still in Deville Wood. (53rd brigade was eventually releaved on the 21st July)(14th to 21st July 18th Division losses including 53rd Brigade were 129 Officers and 2597 other ranks)."