Harold Samuel Griffin – King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 5th Battalion

Second Lieutenant Harold Samuel Griffin – King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 5^th Battalion

Early Life

Harold Samuel Griffin was born in 1890 at Handsworth, Staffordshire, the son of Joseph James and Edith Elizabeth Griffin.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Griffin family were living at 16 Radnor Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire. Joseph, aged 34 and born in Birmingham, was employed as a Manufacturing Gold Jeweller, while his wife Edith, aged 35 and born in Staffordshire, was also recorded at the address. Their only child at this time was Harold S., aged 11. Two servants, Mary Aston (30) and Annie M. Downs (20), were also living in the household.

Edith Elizabeth Griffin died in December 1908. The following year, Joseph married Harriett Wedgwood, though Harriett sadly died the next year in 1910.

1911 Census

The 1911 Census shows the family still residing at 16 Radnor Road, Nordene, Handsworth, Staffordshire. Joseph, now a widower aged 44, was continuing his work as a Manufacturing Jeweller. His children present in the home were Harold Samuel, aged 21, who was employed as a Company Secretary, and Mary Gladys, aged 8. Also listed were two servants: Hannah Cooper, aged 48, and Evelyn Pritchard, aged 15.

Marriage

Harold married Margaret L. Silvester in early 1914 at Tamworth, Staffordshire.

Military Service and Death

Harold Samuel Griffin
Beaudrains Road Cemetery, Beaurains, France
Credit - findagrave

Harold later served as a Second Lieutenant with the 5^th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Historical accounts indicate that the battalion was serving on the Western Front during the spring of 1917 and was associated with operations at the opening phase of the Battle of Arras, which began on 9^th April 1917. This major British offensive aimed to break through well-established German defensive lines east of Arras, and many battalions, including units of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, were committed to supporting or advancing as part of the wider attack. It was on 9^th April 1917 that Harold was killed, during a period of intense action linked to the opening day of the offensive. He is buried at Beaudrains Road Cemetery, Beaurains, France.

Aftermath

Gloucester Journal 

Following the death of Harold, the Gloucester Journal published an article in February 1918 announcing the death of his father, Joseph James Griffin. The notice recorded Joseph’s passing less than a year after the loss of his son, marking a further tragedy for the Griffin family.

Widow’s Later Details

When the records were being compiled by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Harold’s widow, Margaret, had remarried and was living at 11 King’s Road, Mumbles.