A native of Monk Bretton, Barnsley, Yorkshire, Harold was the son of Thomas and Mary Degville of 6, Mount Pleasant, Bloxwich and later of 40, Penkridge Street, Walsall. His father, a coal miner, predeceased him in 1916 and Mary then married Joseph Evans in Walsall during 1918.
1905 Jan/Mar Born Harold Degville. The family seems to have been "d'Egville" and before that "d'Aigueville", but had lived in the area for several generations.
1911 census living at 6 Grant Street, Bloxwich, Staffs confirms as he is in Staffs
1921 Jul 20 Drowned at Fermoy in River Blackwater whilst bathing with other soldiers. Harold got into difficulties and sank before help could reach him.
1921 Jul 25. Harold’s body was returned home and he was buried in Ryecroft Cemetery, Walsall in Grave 37.3.700 . He was 16 years of age.
Photo from Graeme Clarke