The Soldiers

Lieutenant Colonel Louis Meredith Howard

Born: Canada 1878
Died of wounds: 2nd July 1916. Aged 38

Louis Meredith Howard, born in Canada, was the son of Rice Meredith Howard,  a Queens Council (Barrister).
Louis served in the Boer War (1899 to 1902) as a Corporal with the Cape Mounted Rifles and during this war gained promotion to a commissioned rank because of an act of gallantry.

On November 19^th 1914, whilst holding the rank of Captain in the Royal West Surrey Regiment, he was gazetted into the Leeds “Pals” and was appointed their Adjutant. He played an active part in the recruitment of the battalion and on many occasions would travel with the recruitment party on the recruiting tram. (this role formerly been undertaken by Lieutenant Leslie Christian Kirk.) 

On battalion sports day, at Colsterdale camp, on Wednesday 12^th May 1915, Major Howard was to not only judge, but also present the trophy to the Competitor who obtained the highest number of points.

On the 28^th August 1915, 3 weeks before the battalion moved to Fovant camp, and 9 months after joining them, Major Howard left the battalion to take command of the 24^th (service) battalion (1^st Tyneside Irish), Northumberland Fusiliers

When he left the “Pals”after only seeing service with them at Colsterdale and  Ripon, he was the “Subject of a popular demonstration”, given in his honour by his “pals”.  This popularity was simply, because of his rise through the ranks.

On the 1^st July 1916 Louis Meredith Howard was wounded, during the battle of the Somme. He succumbed to his wounds one day later.

He his buried in Ovilliers Military cemetery, France.

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