Harold, I do not know the precise circumstances of your death, but, as a former Lincolns soldier myself, doing my National Service in 1950 with the 1st Battalion in the Suez Canal Zone, I can still salute you as the brave soldier you undoubtedly were, who died in the service of his country. You were laid to rest in Loos British Cemetery, Pas de Calais. We read that graves were brought in from seven other local cemeteries after the Armistice, so I do not know for certain which Lincolns unit you were serving with, nor where the fighting was taking place when you lost your life. The fighting must have been fierce, however, for you were one of 31 members of the Lincolns who perished and whose remains are now at rest here in Loos-en-Gohelle. All but one of you Lincolns buried here in Loos perished in middle to late 1917, which was, of course, two years after the main Battle of Loos, when 514 other Lincolns lost their lives, and who have no known grave, so were commemorated on the Loos Memorial. I trust that the Guard of Honour at your graveside fired the traditional salute to a fallen comrade. I can but quote the memorial hymn again, “All you had hoped for, all you had you gave to save mankind – yourself you scorned to save.”   In addition to your gravestone at Loos, you are also remembered every year at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, when the parade is at the attention while the Queen’s Colour and the National Standard are dipped in salute as the Last Post is sounded. I offer my sympathy to your parents and other relatives who mourned your sacrifice. Rest in Peace. Harry.

Henry Harrison