The Soldiers

15/181 L/Cpl H.R. Cathrick

Born 1897, St Johns, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Died 1st of July 1916 France
Harry Raine Cathrick was born, in the St Johns area of Leeds in 1897 to Mr & Mrs H.E. Cathrick. He also had 2 sisters.

On the 5th September 1914, whilst living at 120 Westfield Road, Burley, Leeds, he enlisted as a Private Soldier, at the Leeds Town Hall, into the “Leeds Pals”,

And was posted to Section 5, 14 Platoon of “D” Company his commanding Officer being Lt John Paxman Everitt.

On the 1st July 1916, the first day of the “Battle of the Somme”, Harry now a Lance Corporal, along with his “Pals” attacked the village of Serre.

In a Letter home 15/217 Cpl Joseph Collinson recounted:

“ Someone slithered into the shell hole I was in head first. I lifted him up head right side up and immediately recognised him as a lad in my own company. He was moaning, and I said, “Where are you hurt puss?” his name was Cathrick – hence his nickname. He died in my arms shortly afterwards. I placed him on the side of the shell hole so he would be found!”

On the 2nd July 1917, 1 year after his death, his grandmother put the following memorial in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

CATHRICK – In loving memory of L/Cpl H.R. Cathrick (Leeds Pals) who was killed in action on 1/7/16,
 
“He little thought his life so short
In this world to remain
No thought when from his home he went
He would never return again
No loved ones stood around him
To bid a last farewell
No words of comfort could he leave
To the ones he loved so well”

“ Grandma & Aunties”

L/Cpl Harry Raine Cathrick is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No3, France.

  

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