BACKLER, Harry


No.55478, Gunner, Harry BACKLER
Aged 23


Reserve Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery.
Killed in Action on Wednesday, 10th January 1917


Harry BACKLER was born in Haverhill (Risbridge Q4-1892 4A:637), youngest child of Frank and Elizabeth BACKLER (née MIZON).
His father Frank was born in Haverhill in 1855, son of master bricklayer James Backler and Mary Anne, formerly BROOK, née BASHAM. The family trade was bricklaying, but Frank became a clothier's warehouseman, probably at D Gurteens and Sons. Harry's mother Elizabeth was the daughter of Stephen and Maryanne MIZON, born in Helions Bumpstead. Aged 16 she had been working as a housemaid to Daniel and Caroline Gurteen at Chauntry House in the HIgh Street
His parents married on 2nd November 1876 at Haverhill St Mary's and were living at 1 Crowland Road when Harry was born, but soon moved to 116 Withersfield Road.

1901 census...Aged 8, he was at 116 Withersfield Road, Haverhill with his father Frank BACKLER [49] a warehouseman; his mother Elizabeth [46] born Helions Bumpstead; sisters Florence [23] a coast machinist, May [16] coat machinist and Kitty [11]; brothers Alfred [20] warehouseman and Phil [13]

Harry started work at the office of the South West Suffolk Echo

1911 census...Aged 19, he was a wholesale clothing warehouseman in London, lodging at Dawson and Leafs, 14/26 Carter Lane, 9 St Pauls Churchyard, E.C. His parents were still at 116 Withersfield Road, Haverhill, his mother sadly had lost 2 of her 7 children.

The pension card records Mrs Rosina HAYES of 60 Torquay Street, Harrow Road, London W2 as guardian of an illegitimate child. So far attempts to enlarge upon this have failed


He enlisted in London in the Royal Field Artillery and arrived in France on 13th November 1915.

Exactly where he was killed has not yet been found.
The South West Suffolk Echo reported that:-
" Mr. and Mrs. Frank Backler, of 116, Withersfield Road, Haverhill, have been officially notified that their son, Gunner Harry Backler, of the Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action on January 10th. Gunner Backler, who was only 24 years of age, enlisted in London soon after the outbreak of war in 1914. He commenced work at the Echo Office and for several years prior to joining up was employed in London. The sympathy of all will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Backler, who have two other sons serving in France, one in the R.G.A. and the other in the Cambridgeshire Regiment.
The first notification of the death came in the following letter signed 'One of his pals.' :- I am undertaking this painful duty of writing you and expressing the feelings of the boys and myself in your very sad bereavement. We were with him, or at least three of us were in the same dug-out at the time, but unfortunately poor Harry and three more had to go. There is one consolation, - if there is any at all - and that is, he soon passed away. He was nicely placed and brought down and buried side by side with his comrades. Believe me, owing to us all being together for nearly six months it felt more than I can express by us all, as he was at all times jolly and as happy as could be, but his time had come, and thank God we saw none of them suffer at all." Not being much of a letter writer especially at a time like this, I must close trusting God will help you in this terrible time."




photo: Rodney Gibson

Harry Backler is buried in Quatre-Vents Military Cemetery, nr Arras, France grave 1:B:8

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


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