Harold Frank Senior

Harold Frank Senior was born in 1877 in Bradford and was the son of Richard a draper and Annie Senior née Wood of 77 Queen's Walk Nottingham. His father Richard was born in 1843 in Leeds and his mother Annie Wood was born in 1854 in Bradford. They were married in 1874 in Bradford, and went on to have 4 children, sadly one of whom did in infancy. Their surviving children were Beatrice b1876 Bradford, Harold Frank b1877 Bradford and Madeline Hilda b1889 Nottingham. Harold Frank marries his wife Elsie James in 1907 in Derby and they have 2 children Frank b1909 and Beatrice Katherine b1910 In the 1911 census Harold and his family are living at 'The Linies' 9 Winchester Street, Nottingham, and are shown as Harold Frank Senior 34 yrs a draper's manager, he is living with his wife Elsie Senior 24 yrs and his two children, Frank 2yrs and Beatrice Katherine 1yr, also at the address are two servants, Ada Kennewell 27 yrs a domestic servant and Edith Hunt 27 yrs a domestic nurse. According to a report of his death in 1918 he and his wife had four children. In the same 1911 census his parents are to be found living at 89 Trent Boulevard, West Bridgford, Nottingham and are shown as Richard 68 yrs a draper who is living with his wife Annie 57 yrs and their daughter Beatrice Amy 35 yrs single, his mother-in-law Sarah Wood 82 yrs a widow, his sister-in-law Laura Wood 40 yrs and a servant Nellie Webster 24 yrs a general servant.

Attended Nottingham High School was admitted 16th January 1888 aged 10 yrs and left in 1890. Member Nottingham Rowing Club. He was manager of a drapery.

"A" Bty 75th Bde. He served in the Cape Mounted Rifles in the South African War. Major Senior died in hospital of wounds and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery (grave ref XXVIII.H.2)

Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 16 April 1918. 'Senior. died of wounds April 13th in hospital, Major JF Senior, RFA, Guards Division, only son of R Senior of Broadmarsh, Nottingham, and Harrogate (late of West Bridgford).' Article in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 16th April 1918 ; - “DIED OF WOUNDS. “MAJOR H. F. SENIOR. “Major H. F. Senior, R.F.A., who died of wounds on April 13th, was the only son of Mr. R. Senior, 3, Broad-marsh, Nottingham. He served through the South African war in the Cape Mounted Rifles, and soon after the outbreak of the present war was given a commission. His divisional general wrote to him when in hospital: “You have done real good work with your battery, and made it a good show, for which I owe you many thanks.” Major Senior was educated at the Nottingham High School, and was a member of the Nottingham Rowing Club. He was married, and leaves four children.” Nottingham Evening Post, Tuesday 30 April 1918: ‘Posthumous honour for Nottm Major. The widow of the late Major HF Senior, RFA, who died of wounds on April 13th, has been informed that her husband has been awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry in action.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) He received the Military Cross for the action in which he received his fatal wounds. His official citation read: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a heavy barrage was put down on his battery, and several casualties occurred, he moved about from gun position to gun position rallying the detachments, thus enabling the task allotted to be carried out. He set a brilliant example of courage, and was himself severely wounded during; the action.” Above published in the London Gazette dated 26th July 1918 Above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Probate was proven in Nottingham on 30th July 1918 and shows him as Harold Frank Senior of 15 Queens Road, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, Major in HM Army died 13th April 1918 in France. Effects £3488 13 shilling. Administration granted to Beatrice Amy Senior, spinster.