Harry Price was born in Plumstead around 1886, to parents John William, an agricultural labourer in the censuses of 1891 and 1901, but promoted to farm foreman in that of 1911, and Caroline. He was the 6th of seven children born between 1872 and 1888, though in the 1911 census, the family record 7 living children, and one who died. Also living with the family in 1891, at 276 High Street, Plumstead, were Sarah (listed as grandmother, though dates show she is John’s mother, a widow aged 70), and Frederick Tyrrell, an agricultural worker, described as a boarder. By 1901, the family had moved to Manor Cottage, and consisted of John and Caroline, with four of their children, Alfred, 29, a ‘leading excavator’ (to which someone has added ‘navvy’), Kate, 17, a laundress, Harry, 15, a cartridge case trayer, and Caroline, 13. In 1911 the Census records the family as living at Little Danson Farm, and only Harry and Caroline Junior are listed with their parents. Harry’s employment was listed as ‘explosive worker’ in the Royal Arsenal. In 1914 he married Emily Ward.
Harry enlisted with the 7th (City of London) Regiment, known as the ‘Shiny Seventh’, which, prior to April 1908 had been the 3rd City of London Rifle Volunteers. During the Great War it formed two active battalions, 1/7th and 2/7th. The 1/7th landed in France in March 1915 as part of the 4th London Brigade, 2nd London Division remaining with it until January 1918. They first saw action at Festubert in May 1915, and took part in major battles at Loos in September 1915, Vimy in May 1916, High Wood in September 1916, Butte de Warlencourt in October 1916 moving to Belgium in 1917 7th and seeing action in the Battle of Messines and Passchendaele before returning to France for the battles at and Cambrai in November 1917. The 2/7th was raised in September 1914, and landed in France in January 1917 with 174th Brigade 58th (London) Division, fighting its first major battle at Bullencourt in May, and taking part in the third Ypres offensive in September/October 1917. In January 1918, until the end of the war the 1/7th amalgamated with the 2/7th to become the 7th London, in 174th Brigade (London) division seeing action at Villiers Bretonneux, Mallard Wood, Epehy, Courrieres, Maulde.
Harry was killed in action on 21st March 1918, the first day of the first German drive of the Somme Offensive. His widow, Emily was recorded as living at 35 Springfield Road, Welling. He was awarded the British and Victory medals.
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