Soldier Record

I first became acquainted with Great-Great-Uncle Harry when my late Grandmother, his niece, showed me his name on the war memorial in Norwich Castle Museum. Some years later when I started to trace my family tree I felt a need to find out more about this man I never knew but who my Grandmother often talked about. He was born in Alderson's Street Norwich on 27/10/1886. His parents were Arthur Aylward and Harriet Aylward nee Gedge who married 14/08/1876. He was one the 1891 census as living at the same place he was born. On the 1901 census he was living at Ashby Street, Norwich and employed as a printer. He enlisted 19/03/1904 while he was living in the Lakenham area of Norwich (which explains why he was listed on the Roll of Honour as having enlisted at Fakenham)

Having checked the 4th Batt war diaries I discovered he was gassed at least once at the Second Battle of Ypres, and killed by shellfire on the 28/04/1915 along with another comrade Rifleman Horace George Strong. Both have no known grave but are commemorated on the Menin Gate.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Rest in peace Great-Great Uncle Harry, and Horace