York and Lancaster Regiment 1st/4th Hallamshire Territorial Force Battalion Service no. 33134
Died 24th April 1918, aged 24
Story
Private Harry Watkinson was born in Kippax in 1894, the only child of Frederick William Watkinson (1863-1936) and Margaret Watkinson (1861-1933), who married in 1885. Harry was single, and worked on his parents’ farm, employed by his father, and acting as a carrier between Leeds and Kippax. He enlisted for Army service in Kippax on 11th December 1915, and was 5 ft 4½” tall. Harry trained in the UK as part of the 84th Training Reserve, and scored 75 points on his musketry exam in Hornsea on 28th May 1916, achieving 2nd class shot. Harry was posted to France on 22nd January 1917, and was wounded 28th July 1917. Harry rejoined his regiment on 10th August 1917.
Harry died on the 24th April 1918 from a gunshot wound in the back, which he received in France. Initially he was reported as dangerously wounded, but the war office were advised by telegram on the 25th April 1918, that Private Harry Watkinson had died the previous day. His father received £5 12s 7d from the army following his son’s death, and on 7th September 1918, Harry’s personal effects were returned to his parents. These included letters, a leather cigarette case, tobacco pouch, metal mirror in a case, and his waist belt.
Harry’s mother Margaret passed away in 1933, but elicited a promise from her friend Polly Hartley (née Heckingbottom, 1881-1961), to pay tribute to Harry on Remembrance Day, which Polly continued to do into the late 1950s:
Harry Watkinson is commemorated at Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium ref V.B. 35.
Kippax Roll of Honour 