Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1886 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/847,
the son of Arthur & Minnie Thorpe.

1891 Census - 7 Dudley Street, Stretford.   Son - aged: 4 - born:
Manchester.    Head of household - Arthur Thorpe - Married - aged:26 - occ:
Bricklayer - born: Warwickshire.   Also - Minnie Thorpe - Wife - aged: 25 -
born: Manchester.   Plus 1 younger sister.

1901 Census - 2a Henrietta Street, Stretford.  Son - aged: 14 - occ:
Apprentice Joiner - born: Moss Side, Manchester.   Head of household -
Arthur Thorpe - Married - aged:36 - occ: Foreman Bricklayer - born:
Warwick, Warwickshire.   Also - Minnie Thorpe - Wife - aged: 35 - born:
Moss Side, Manchester.   Plus 1 youger sister.

1911 Census - 2a Henrietta Street, Stretford.  Son - aged: 24 - occ: Joiner
- born: Moss Side, Manchester.   Head of household - Arthur Thorpe -
Married - aged:46 - occ: Builders General Foreman - born: Warwick,
Warwickshire.   Also - Minnie Thorpe - Wife - aged: 45 - born: Moss Side,
Manchester. 

According to information supplied by his mother for the Australian Roll of
Honour, Harold Thorpe emigrated to Australia when he was 24 years old =
1911/1912.   He actually sailed to Sydney from Liverpool on the 8th
February 1912 on the White Star Line - S.S. Medic.

Harold Thorpe married Margaret Donohue in the district of Perth, Western
Australia in 1913.   The 1914 Australian Electoral Roll for the division of
Perth, subdivision of East Perth recorded Harold Thorpe, Carpenter &
Margaret Thorpe - Home Duties of 118 Edward Street.

Harold Thorpe was a 30 year old, married, Carpenter from Osborne, W.A. when
he enlisted at Perth on 24th October, 1916 with the 16th Infantry
Battalion, 24th Reinforcements of the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.).  
His service number was 7317 & his religion was Church of England. His next
of kin was listed as his wife - Mrs. Margaret Thorpe, Reeves Street,
Osborne, Western Australia.   Harold stated on his Attestation Papers that
he had previously served with Volunteer Engineers for 2 years &
Territorials for 4 years.    Information supplied by his mother for the
Roll of Honour states that Harold Thorpe served with the East Lancashire
Royal Engineers in England.

Pte Harold Thorpe was posted to 89th Depot on 24th October, 1916.   He was
transferred to 22nd Depot on 10th November, 1916 then transferred to 16th
Infantry Battalion, 24th Reinforcements on 29th November, 1916.

He embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on HMAT Miltiades (A28) on
29th January, 1917 & disembarked at Devonport, England on 27th March, 1917.
 Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was
completed in training units in England.   Some of these were located in the
Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.

He was marched in from Australia to 4th Training Battalion at Codford,
Wiltshire on 27th March, 1917 and whilst there, was appointed Acting Lance
Corporal on 15th June, 1917.   His rank reverted back to Private on 8th
July, 1917.

Harold proceeded overseas to France via Southampton from 4th Training
Battalion at Codford on 9th July, 1917.  He was marched in to 4th A.D.B.D.
(Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Havre from England on 19th July,
1917.   On the 27th July, 1917, he was taken on strength with his Battalion
in the field.

The Red Cross Wounded & Missing file for Private Harold Thorpe contains a
request from Mrs. A. Thorpe of 2a Henrietta Street, Old Trafford, mother of
the late Private Thorpe, asking for additional information so that she can
visit the Sacred Spot of her son's grave.  Several unofficial reports on
Private Thorpe's death are contained in the file.

Pte A. C. O. Dawson, 7223 wrote:   "We were in the communication trenches
going to the front line when a shell burst 5 yards in front of Thorpe and
he fell down.  Pte Sladden was with him at the time and found he was dead
though there was no mark on him, I think he was buried close to where he
fell as there was no cemetery near.  I knew him well, having come over in
the same draft with him from Australia".

Pte C. O. Sladden, 7338, 16th Battn. wrote: Re 7317 H. Thorpe, killed at
Messines about 5th August 1917.   Buried on the Field at Messines. Can't
find out where the grave would be registered.  Personal appearance:  He was
a man of about 30 years of age, rather above medium height, sturdily built,
brown hair and eyes.   Married shortly before embarkation. Promoted to
temporary L/Cpl. at Codford Camp England.

Pte E. G. Williams, 7325 D. Coy, 16th Batt. wrote: Pte H. Thorpe, 7317, D.
Coy, 16th Batt. Killed August 4th, 1917. I saw him killed by a shell whilst
we were close to Warnston in front of Messines, later I saw his grave, a
cross was erected bearing full particulars, Pte Waller, A. No. 7327, who
has since been killed, wrote to Thorpe's wife who lives at Perth and gave
her full particulars, both these men's wives lived together.   He was a
carpenter by trade".

G. E. Ball, 7208, D. Coy., 16th Battn. wrote: Thorpe was killed going into
the line about the 2nd or 3rd of August, about a mile from the front line,
Messines.   I did not see anything of this, but when we got to the line the
chaps told me he was killed outright, just threw up his hands and dropped.
They buried him next day just at the back of the Battalion Huts, not in a
Cemetery. I can't say whether the grave was marked or not.   I was told by
A. Waller 7327, who was with him and who has been killed since I left the
line".

A War Pension was granted to his widow - Margaret Thorpe, in the sum of
40/- per fortnight from 20th October, 1917.  Private Thorpe was entitled to
British War Medal & the Victory Medal.  A Memorial Scroll & Memorial Plaque
were also sent to Pte Thorpe's widow - Mrs. M. Thorpe, as the closest
next-of-kin. (Scroll & Plaque sent September, 1922).

He is commemorated on the Roll of Honour, located in the Hall of Memory
Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia on
Panel 81.

Newspaper Notices
WESTERN AUSTRALIA - THE ROLL OF HONOUR - 333rd CASUALTY LIST - KILLED IN
ACTION
Thorpe, Harold (Osborne)
(The West Australian, Perth, W.A. - 28 August, 1917)

IN MEMORIAM - Anzac Heroes
THORPE - In loving remembrance of my dear husband, Private Harold Thorpe,
killed in action at the battle of Messines, August 4, 1917; also his
comrade, Private Arthur Waller, killed September 25, 1917. Ever in thought.
 Some day we'll understand.
(The West Australian, Perth, W.A. - 3 August, 1918)

IN MEMORIAM - Anzac Heroes
WALLER - In loving remembrance of my dear husband, Private Arthur Waller,
killed in action at Polygon Woods, September 25, 1917; also his comrade,
Private Harold Thorpe, killed August 4, 1917.  Greater love than this hath
no man. That he lay down his life for his friend.  From memory's page time
cannot blot, Three little words, "Forget me not."
(The West Australian, Perth, W.A. - 25 September, 1918)

IN MEMORIAM - Anzac Heroes
THORPE - In loving memory of my dear husband, Private Harold Thorpe, killed
at Messines, August 4, 1917; also his comrade, Private Arthur Waller,
killed September 25, 1917.  Ever in thought.
(The West Australian, Perth, W.A. - 5 August, 1919)

I am indebted to Cathy Sedgwick, an Australian researcher for much of the
above information.