EASBY, Harold

Harold Easby was born in Bradford and his parents were Harry and Elizabeth Easby. In 1914 he was a regular in the cavalry serving in the 3rd (King's Own) Hussars. They were mobilised immediately after the declaration of war and by the 22nd August were in the earliest fighting to halt the German invaders. Like the rest of the BEF they were forced to retreat from Mons. From 1915 trench warfare gave little opportunity for cavalry and the Hussars fought as dismounted infantry. As such they were at the Somme and Third Ypres. In November they were again dismounted and at the end of the British breakthrough after the 20th November attack they were advancing in Bourlon Wood when they suffered casualties. One of these was Private Harold Easby who was killed in action on the 27th November and is commemorated on the Cambrai and Halesowen Memorials.