HOW, Harold


No. 5824848, Bandsman, Harold Botha HOW
Aged 24


1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Died of his Wounds on Saturday, 1st June 1940

Harold How was born in Freckenham (Mildenhall Q3-1915 4A:1649), son of Ernest William and Annie Ellen HOW (née WELHAM).
He had an elder sister Elizabeth Agnes[1905] and two elder brothers, Cyril Ernest [1908] and Edgar George [1909].

His father, a miller/dealer, was born in Freckenham, mother was born in St George East, London. He attended Soham Grammar School from 1926 to 1928

In the 1939 register his mother Annie E [20-9-1882](recorded as married) was at "Bedford", Centre Drive", Newmarket with his brother Edgar [9-9-1909] a lorry driver. There is one closed record.


He died of his wounds on the way back from Dunkirk and was returned to Freckenham for burial. His death was registered in Eastbourne, Sussex Q2-1940 2B:243.
MID is inscribed on his private headstone so it appears he was mentioned in despatches.
Relatives relate that he was a keen sportsman and especially good at rowing. He enlisted in the Suffolks at 16 years old. (the rules for age are somewhat different for apprentices and bandsmen).



Harold How is buried in Freckenham St Andrew's Churchyard
and named on the war memorial there

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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