MALE, Harry

Harry Male was born in 1882 and was admitted to Old Swinford Hospital in 1892. He was apprenticed in 1896 to Mr C. Ward, a blacksmith. He volunteered for the Worcesters and joined the 2nd Battalion some time in 1915. After its losses at Loos the battalion had been in a quiet sector. They joined the 1916 Battle of the Somme, however, for its second phase which started on the 14th July. They were to attack High Wood where the Germans had already repulsed several British attempts. It was well defended and approached over open fields. The Worcesters tried several times during a week in the front line but could not dislodge the enemy. Their casualties exceeded 300 and among the killed in action was Private Harry Male. He was 33 years of age and is commemorated on the Thiepval, Stourbridge, Wollaston and Old Swinford Hospital Memorials.