Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Service no. 1217 then 55211
Born: 6th August 1897. Died: 17th March 1956.
Story
Harold was born in Kippax and baptised in Swillington on 5th September 1897. He was the son of Novello Darley (1868-1901) and Mary Longbottom (1871-1954). His cousin was William Longbottom who was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, at the same time as Harold was injured. Harold enlisted on 3rd September 1914. He was 5 ft 10½ inches tall, which meant he could plausibly claim to be 19 years and 30 days old, when he was in fact only 17 years and 28 days old, and therefore underage. Harold trained in England until 12th July 1915, when he was sent to France. Harold was injured on 1st July 1916. Whilst on sentry duty in the trench, he was hit by both shrapnel and a gunshot, which fractured his left heel. Harold was sent back to England, and spent the next 202 days in three different hospitals. Fragments from the shell had embedded into his bone. Returning to duty on 19th January 1917, Harold had difficulty marching, and was transferred to the Labour Corps, then moved to the 5th Rifle Brigade and finally the Royal Engineers. Whilst on leave, Harold married Christiana Raw in Bramley on 17th June 1918 (pictured below). Returning to duty, Harold went absent without leave on 16th October 1918 until 21st October, which cost him 12 days’ pay. Harold left the Army on 8th May 1919, and returned to 22 Grasmere Place, Armley, where he worked as a Railway Shunter. He passed away at the age of 58.
Kippax Roll of Honour 