Soldier Record

As reported elsewhere on this remembrance wall, The Seaforth Highlanders were virtually wiped out on 22nd August 1917 and as far as we know, nothing remained of Uncle Harold. He is commemorated at Tyne Cot Cemetery on Panel 132-135 and 162A of the wall.

He has never been forgotten by his family.

He was 4 years older than my Grandmother - they closely resembled each other - and the youngest son of the family. On his last visit home (maybe after being wounded?) he told his eldest brother "Goodbye, you won't see me again." This bears out a quote from Tubby Clayton, the founder of TocH (Talbot House) who said that many of the men seemed to have an awareness of their forthcoming death.

We have visited Tyne Cot on many occasions, in various seasons and in vastly differing weather conditions and have never failed to be deeply moved. Many things strike you --- the beauty of the place and the obvious reverence for the men shown in the care taken in its upkeep; its profound sense of peace in complete contrast to the last earthly sensations of the fallen, but most of all the utter and complete waste of so many lives --- a generation almost obliterated.