Lives of the First World War

1918

Lewis Harker was the son of Mr and Mrs Wm Harker of Cliffe Wood Terrace, Neiley, Honley and was brought up in that locality. He was born at Ford Cottage at the time that his father was engineer at Ford Mill. He was educated at Wooldale Council School and later at New Mill National School. Connected with the United Methodist cause, he was a scholar at Mount Tabor and at one time a member of the choir. Lewis enlisted as a private at Whitsuntide 1915 and fought in Egypt at Sulva Bay but was wounded during those operations. After recuperating, he left Egypt for France where, after fifteen month’s service in the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, he was recommended for a commission. He returned for training at Lichfield, readily passing the necessary examinations, was then drafted into the East Lancashire Regiment and subsequently attached to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Lieut. Harker had been home on leave in August 1918, leaving Holmfirth for France on 18th August. The local newspaper reported that he had had some narrow escapes during this time but was killed on 1 October 1918 by a shell that dropped into his post. A letter from an officer in the same battalion wrote to his mother: “He had only just returned after talking with another officer when a shell dropped on him. Your son was very much liked by his men and officers. He was always cheerful and happy and will be missed by all. We are holding a memorial service tomorrow afternoon.”

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