F. C. Harry – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Hawke Battalion, Royal Navy Division
Sub‑Lieutenant F. C. Harry – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Hawke Battalion, Royal Navy Division
Background
Some individuals leave only a limited footprint in the
surviving historical record, and this is true of F. C. Harry. According
to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, he was born in 1888
and was the son of Rev. Lewis T. and Catherine Harry, of 106 Cecil
Street, Manselton, Swansea.
Military Service
F. C. Harry served as a Sub‑Lieutenant with the Royal
Naval Volunteer Reserve, attached to the Hawke Battalion of the Royal
Navy Division. Although naval in name, the Division fought as infantry on
the Western Front and was redesignated the 63rd (Royal Naval)
Division in 1916. The Hawke Battalion formed part of the 189th
Infantry Brigade, taking part in major actions throughout the war.
Hawke Battalion – 8th October 1918
By October 1918, the Royal Naval Division was engaged
in the final phase of the Hundred Days Offensive, the Allied advance
that ultimately ended the First World War. In early October, the Division was
pushing eastward following the Second Battle of Cambrai, attacking
German rearguard positions as the enemy retreated toward the River Selle.
On 8th October 1918, the Hawke Battalion
was involved in heavy fighting during this advance. The day was marked
by intense machine‑gun fire, strong German defensive positions,
and significant casualties across the Division. Records confirm that
officers of the Hawke Battalion were killed on this date, demonstrating that
the battalion was fully engaged in front‑line action. It was during these
operations that Sub‑Lieutenant F. C. Harry lost his life.
Death and Commemoration
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| F. C. Harry Vis‑en‑Artois Memorial, Pas‑de‑Calais, France credit - findaagrave |
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