HACKETT, Harold

Harold Hackett was the second son of Charles Hackett of 9 Somers Road, Halesowen. He attended Halesowen C of E school and was married to Nessie, later Smith, of 39 Hackett Street, Blackheath. He was employed at Langley Forge and volunteered on the 6th December 1914 d for the Worcesters. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion in Artois where they had been since the autumn of 1914. Soon after his arrival the Worcesters were ordered to attack the German trenches at the village of Festubert. It was a night attack requiring precision but the weather was wet and conditions were difficult. At 11.15 the Worcesters left their trenches but German flares made them simple targets. The losses were heavy and included Private Harold Hackett who died of wounds at a Casualty Clearing Station. He was 23 years of age and is buried in Béthune Town Cemetery (III C 63) and commemorated on the Blackheath, Halesowen and Halesowen C of E school Memorials. His brother, Charles William, died on the 14th August 1915.