Trafford

Born at Edinburgh in 1896, the only son of Charles Measures & Charlotte
Alice Curtiss.   His father was a well known actor, born at Edinburgh and
his mother's stage name was Madame Alice Brickman (Alice Vickmann according
to the MEN).

1901 Census - 33 Joppa Road, Portabello, Edinburgh, Scotland.   Boarder -
aged: 5 - Edinburgh.  Head of household - James Forth Mcpake - Married -
aged:  23 - occ: Clerk (wholesale Provision) - born: Edinburgh.  Also Maude
Ann Mcpake - Wife - aged: 23 - born: Edinburgh.  Plus their 1 year old
son.

1911 Census - No Trace.

Educated at Taplow Grammar School and Bowdon College.   On leaving school,
he went into the Cotton trade, then later on became a Clerk for the
Castleton Steam Packing Co. Broadheath.

Enlisted at the end of May 1915 and was drafted overseas in August 1915. 
MIC - states that he was posted to France on the 3rd August 1915.  He was
awarded the 15 Star, the BWM & the VM.

WO363 - Attested at Chester on the 1st June 1915.   He was then aged: 19
years 58 days, employed as a Clerk and resided at 36 Ashton Avenue,
Altrincham.   His next of kin was his mother - Charlotte Alice Curtiss, 38
The Downs, Bowdon.  Joined the Gordon Highlanders at Aberdeen on the 2nd
June 1915.  He was 5 feet 6 inches in height - weighed 116 lb - had a chest
measurement of 32½ to 24½ inches fully expanded. Posted to the 1st Bn,
Gordon Highlanders on the 3rd August 1915. 

He embarked at Southampton on the 4th August 1915.   Suffered from
Influenza on the 15th December 1915 - returned to duty on the 5th January
1916.   1st Bn, Gordon Highlanders served in the 3rd Division, 76 Brigade. 
  Based at Reninghelst, March 1916 opened with final preparations for an
attack.  This was later to be known as  the "Actions of the St. Eloi
Craters".   Reached assembly points and relieved the 9th Bn, Northumberland
Fusiliers.   The British assault began at 04.30 hrs on 2nd March with some
initial success on the night, left section failed, 3 platoon practically
annihilated ('A' Company).  Very heavy casualties suffered under the stream
of German rifle and machine gun fire and the Bn suffered 245 killed and
wounded.   All counter attacks were repulsed, heavy shelling of the British
lines, and reserve and support lines.    One of those killed was John.

In the early hours of 02/03/1916 his Bn attacked the German trenches and he
fell under the stream of rifle and machine gun fire.

His death was reported in the 31/03/1916 edition of the Altrincham
Guardian.

Listed simply as Harold Curtiss on the Altrincham & District Roll of
Honour.  Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1917.