Ethelbert Harris Harrop

Ethelbert was born in 1886 at Worksop and was the son of John Harris and Elizabeth Harrop (née Allison ) his mother died in 1888 when he was aged 2 years and his father died in 1911 . His siblings were Enid Rose, Dorcas May, Caroline Jane and Lancelot. In the 1901 census we find that John has remarried and is living with his wife Mary Lizzie 14 years his junior at Low Pit Lane Whitwell , Derbyshire - John is 41 years of age and head of the family, his wife Mary 28 years , Ethelbert now 15 years is a coal miner, horse driver below ground, born Worksop, Rose E is 14 years Dorcas M is 4 years and Lancelot is 1 year In 1908 he married his wife Jane Robinson at Worksop - By the 1911 census - Ethelbert has left home and is married and living at 9 Duke Street, Whitwell and is shown as - Ethelbert Harris Harrop, head, 25, Coal Miner Hewer, born Worksop; Jane Harris Harrop, wife, 23; Bert Harris Harrop, son, 4 months; The army register of soldiers effects show -Harrop, Ethelbert Harris, 1st bn Notts & Derby Regt, Pte 13668 - died 9/5/15 in action his sole legatee is his widows Jane who is left 16/11/15 - £0-10s-7d 7/7/1919 - £3 war gratuity

Coal miner 1901 - horse driver Coal miner 1911 - hewer

Ethelbert Harris Harrop The magnificently named Ethelbert Harrop was born in Worksop and bought up in 8 Grafton Street in a coal mining family and he, himself, was working as a hewer at Whitwell pit in the years before the war, living at 9 Duke Street, Whitwell with his wife and a young family. After training Private Harrop joined the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters on 18 March 1915 to help fill the ranks due to the losses suffered at the attack at Neuve Chappelle earlier in the month. On 9 May 1915 the 8th Division, of which the battalion was a part, attacked again at Rouges Bancs at the opening at the Battle of Aubers Ridge. However, an inadequate artillery barrage left the infantry very exposed to both German machine gun and artillery fire, which left the Battalion with 3 officers and 52 other ranks killed and 12 officers and 245 other ranks wounded. Ethelbert was one of those killed, leaving yet another young widow and fatherless family. His body was not recovered to receive a formal known burial and he is remembered on the Ploeegsteert Memorial. Courtesy of Robert Illett

Soldiers Died in the Great War - Harrop Ethelbert H, born Worksop Nottinghamshire, enlisted Worksop, abode Mansfield Nottinghamshire, 13668, Private, killed in action, France and Flanders, 9/5/1915