CAPTAIN HAROLD HANSON
DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S WEST RIDING REGIMENT
1ST DECEMBER 1917 AGE 36
BURIED: NINE ELMS BRITISH CEMETERY, WEST FLANDERS, BELGIUM
Harold Hanson was a partner in his father's firm of Abbey & Hanson, Surveyors, Huddersfield, which is still trading today as Abbey Hanson Rowe, AHR. He was also a Territorial soldier in the 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment. Hanson volunteered for foreign service immediately - his death announcement in the Yorkshire Post says that he had served since September 1914. His medal roll index card gives his date of entry into a theatre of war as 17 May 1917.
Territorial soldiers were only committed to service at home. However, come the outbreak of war they were all asked if they would be prepared to serve abroad. Many said no. Hanson must have said yes, fully aware of what it might mean and happy to pay the price. This is what his father put as his inscription.
Hanson died of wounds on 1 December 1917 but on the 3rd most of the local Yorkshire papers were still only reporting that he had been dangerously wounded. However, on the 6th came the announcement of his death.