Born in 1895 at Clapham Junction, son of William Frederick (Solicitors Shorthand Clerk) and Catherine Ann Mann. 1901: With his family at 8 Lancaster Villas, Prospect Road, Woodford Green. 1911: A Scholar with his family at 152 Prospect Road. He was a member of the 3rd Epping Forest Scout Troop. Having enlisted in London, he became a Bugler with Queen Victoria’s Rifles at the end of 1915/beginning of 1916.
On 27th September 1917 the Battalion was part of 58 Division which contributed one Brigade to the attack on Polygon Wood, part of the Third Battle of Ypres. Their objective was to advance along the Gravenstafel Spur towards Aviatik Farm. The attack began at 05.50 in thick mist over badly churned ground, and some men became disorientated. They were then held up by German fire from Dom Trench and a pill box. This was overcome and the attack proceeded until held up again near Dear House, Aviatik Farm and Vale House, some 400 yards short of their final objective. A counter attack was launched which managed to push the attackers back from Dale House and Aviatik Farm. A later attack at 18.11 pushed the British line forward again to Nile near the boundary with 3 Division.
During the days fighting Harold Mann was Killed in Action, and his remains were not recovered.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com