Private Harry Charles Brickell
| Date of Birth | c.1897 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 20 |
| Date of Death | 30 November 1917 |
| Service Number | 2582 |
| Military Service | 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
| Merton Address | 31 Seely Road, Tooting |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Harry Brickell was born in Chipping Ongar in 1897 between January and March. His mother was named Maggie Jane, and his father Charles was employed as a tailor. In 1901 Harry was aged 4 and lived with his baby sister Maggie and his parents in Chipping Ongar. By 1911 the family had moved to a five roomed house in 31 Seely Road, Tooting.
During the First World War, Harry enlisted at Woolwich with the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). This was a Service Battalion formed at Hounslow, and came under the command of the 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. The battalion landed in France in May 1915, and would have seen action in various battles on the Western Front.
On 30 November, during the battle of Cambrai (20 November – 7 December 1917) the brigade’s War Diary records that the enemy subjected them to a heavy barrage on the trenches which started at 7am. The enemy advanced almost reaching the battalion headquarters. The commanders of the 12th (Eastern) Division and 29th Division were almost captured, with Brigadier-General Berkeley Vincent having to fight his way out of his headquarters and grab men from retreating units to try to halt the Germans.
Losses were heavy on that day, and sadly Harry was one of those killed in action. Harry has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, and locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.