Harold Lomas

Rank:Lieutenant
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:20th Bn
Name of Rgt or Ship:Manchester Rgt
Died:01/07/1916Age:39
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:FranceGrave Photo:No
Cemetery or Memorial:Dantzig Alley Cemetery
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born on the 14th September 1875, the birth being registered during the
September quarter 1875 in the Ashton under Lyne R.D. - ref: 8d/472, the son
of George Henry & Margaret Elizabeth Lomas (nee Bluett).

1881 Census Brookfield Terrace, Ashton Old Road, Ashton under Lyne,
Lancashire.   Son - aged: 5 - Scholar - born: Fairfield, Manchester.   Head
of household - George Henry Lomas - Married - aged: 32 - occ: Bank Clerk -
born: Manchester.   Also - Margaret Elizabeth Lomas - Wife - aged: 29 -
born: Douglas, Isle of Man.   Plus 2 siblings and 2 domestic servants.

From other local history research, I have it that the Lomas family moved to
Beaufort Avenue, Brooklands in 1883 and resided there until George Henry
Lomas' death in 1906.   In 1883, the house was owned by Morris Mullaby, but
in 1885 he sold it to John Witty.   [N.B. John Witty and his brother -
Marmaduke Witty were responsible for the construction of the Sale Hotel
(now The Moorfield) in 1878].

1891 Census - 14 Beaufort Avenue, Brooklands, Sale.   Son - aged: 15 -
Scholaer - born: Manchester.   Head of household - George Henry Lomas -
Married - aged: 42 - occ: Bank Accountant - born: Manchester.   Also -
Margaret Elizabeth Lomas - Wife - aged: 39 - born: Douglas, Isle of Man.  
Plus 1 elder brother, a visitor and 2 domestic servants.

1901 Census - No Trace.   His family were still residing at 14 Beaufort
Avenue, Brooklands, Sale.    Head of household - George H. Lomas - Married
- aged: 52 - occ: Bank Manager - born: Manchester   Plus his younger sister
- Ethel M. Lomas and 2 domestic servants.  His mother - Margaret E. Lomas -
was visiting her sister - Eleanor Dixon and brother-in-Law - Wilmott Dixon
down at Hampstead, London.

His father - George Henry Lomas - died in late 1906, aged: 58.

Departing from Liverpool, via Ellis Island, New York, Harold emigrated to
Baltimore, U.S.A. in 1906.

1911 Census - No Trace - residing at Baltimore, U.S.A.

Manchester University Memorial Rolls - Son of G. H. Lomas, Brooklands,
Manchester. Born 1876 at Fairfield, Manchester. Manchester Grammar School
Manchester University: 1892; BSc. (Engineering Honours) 1895. Electrical
Engineer, U. S. A. Gazetted March 1915; 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment;
Lieutenant; Western Front. Killed 1st July 1916 at Fricourt. Lord,
ArthurSon of Dr. Robert Ellis Lord, Penlan, Wynnestay Road, Colwyn Bay.
Born 1898. Clive House S., Old Colwyn; Haileybury. Manchester University:
1914; Student, Med; Officer Training Corps, October 1914 to February 1915.
Gazetted January 1915; 3rdBattalion Welch R; Captain; Western Front;
Wounded. Died 12th March 1917 in France, of wounds received 10th February
1917.

Manchester University Roll of Honour - Harold was born in 1874 at
Brooklands [Wrong - born at Fairfield, Manchester].  The son of G.H.Lomas.
He studied at both Manchester Technical College and Manchester University
graduating with an BSc. in Engineering in 1895. A skilled cricketer he
played for the Manchester City Football Club Supporters cricket team and
Wimbledon Cricket Club. In 1900 he took a job with the Crocker-Wheeler
Company of New York and emigrated to the U.S.A. He became a member of the
American Institute of Electrical Engineers in 1903.

Officially too old to be called up for War Service, Harold left his wife
and two young daughters to travel back to Britain from his home in
Baltimore to fight. He enlisted in the 20th (5th City Pals) Battalion
Manchester Regiment and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. The battalion
was raised on 8th November 1914 by the lord Mayor of Manchester. Originally
part of the 30th (New Army) Division they moved to France in November 1915
and transferred to the 7th Division in time for the Battle of the Somme. By
now Harold had been promoted to Lieutenant. On 1st July 1916 his battalion
was not in the initial attack, but in immediate support in the Fricourt
sector. At 14.30 they were called on to attack enemy positions in a quarry
on the Mametz-Becordel Road. The attack was to cost the Battalion 310
casualties; amongst them was Harold, cut down leading his men forward.

Death reported in the 15h July 1916 edition of the Manchester Guardian.  He
had been engaged as an Engineer at Baltimore, U.S.A.  On the outbreak of
War he returned to England and obtained a Commission.   He was the brother
in law of Dr. Carpenter, Professor of Metallurgy at Manchester University.




Memorials found on:
Manchester University
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