Harry Shooter

Harry was born in 1891 the son of John, a coal miner, and Emma Shooter (née Dunn) of 36 Hillmoor Street Pleasley Hill, Mansfield. His father was born in 1867 at Sutton in Ashfield, his mother in 1870 at Pinxton, They were married on 24th August 1889 at Mansfield Registry Office and had five children - John b.1889, Harry b.1891, Edith b.1892, Pharaoh Walter b.1896 and Winifred b.1898 In 1911, 20 year old Harry was serving with 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters at Crowhill Fort.

He was a miner and professional soldier in England and a miner in Australia.

3rd Bn Harry Shooter, a Wesleyan, served first with the British Army. He enlisted at Mansfield 8/9/1910 and was posted 2/2/1911 to 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (11432). He was declared a deserter 2/4/1912. (Shooter's Army Service Record survives). In Australia, he attested 9/9/1914 and embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Euripides 20/10/1914 to join the Mediterranean Expedition. Landing at Gallipoli 5/4/1915, he was killed in action during heavy Turkish attacks at Anzak. 4th Bn Parade Ground Cemetery Grave Reference: E 7

Harry's brother John, also a miner, enlisted on 11th January 1916 at Mansfield aged 27 years and 255 days. He was posted to the reserves, mobilised on 3rd April 1916 and posted to the Royal Field Artillery joining at the Depot at Newcastle upon Tyne on 10th April 1916. He embarked from Southampton on 16th September 1917 and disembarked the same day at Le Harve. On the 1st January 1918 he was posted to Palestine and served with the 406 battery Royal Field Artillery. On 4th March 1919 he was posted to class ‘Z’ reserves and demobilised. Research by Peter Gillings