Harry Hornsby was a Private in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and was killed on 12th September 1915. He was awarded the Victory, British and 15 Star Medals.

Sadly, little information can be found on Harry either on genealogy websites, or elsewhere. The Battalion war diaries for 1/5 KOYLI at the time suggest that Harry was killed by shell, bomb or trench mortar fire during a period of five days in the front line trenches. Otherwise, the period from 27th August to 20th September 1915 was quite unremarkable. For that period, the diaries state;

“In trenches. Nothing unusual to report during tour of duty. The (illegible) for 24 days (illegible) as follows 27th Aug to Sept 1st In front line trenches. Sept 2nd to 7th in Support on Canal Bank. Sept 8th to 13th in front line.Sept 14th to 19th in Support.

Total casualties during 24 days in the trenches –                Officers Nil  

                                                                                          Other ranks 9 killed 38 wounded

Nearly all the casualties were caused by shell fire and trench mortars or bombs.”

Being killed on the 12th, Harry was one of the unfortunate nine.