This site commemorates the men and women of Collingham, Linton and Micklethwaite who served during World War 1.
Graydon, Harold (Harry)
(1892-1970)
 

Connection with Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite and reason for inclusion on this web site
  • Lived in Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite immediately prewar or during the war
  • Named on printed lists of villagers in The Wetherby News or Collingham Parish Magazine
  • Named as an Absent Voter due to Naval or Military Service on the 1918 or 1919 Absent Voter list for Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite
Family background

Harry Graydon was born in Halifax on the 19th March 1892, the son of Walter and Annie Graydon. Harold had a twin sister, Doris. He also had an older brother, Norman, born in 1891, who also served in the Great War, and a younger sister, Mary Emeline, born in 1894. Harold and Doris were both baptised at St.Jude's Halifax on the 26th April 1892. By 1911, Harry, his parents and siblings were living at Woodlands, Collingham. His father was a Master Tailor, and both Harry and Norman were assistant tailors.

Service record

The name H. Graydon (or Harry Graydon in some cases) appears on the lists of men serving in September 1914 (Wetherby News) and December, January and February 1915 (Collingham Parish Magazine). In the latter case the name is given as Private Harry Graydon, so we believe he served in the Army. Harry Graydon was also away from the village as an absent voter due to Naval or Military service in 1918 and 1919. However we cannot precisely identify Harry's military service as his service record file has not survived.

The medal rolls and index cards for World War One lists one man named Harry Graydon (Harry Clifford Graydon) who served in the Royal Fusiliers, but his record is annotated with the words "Presumed Dead" in 1918, and 'our' Harry Graydon was still marked as an absent voter in 1919.

There is a single medal record for a man named Harold Graydon. This man was a sergeant in the Yorkshire Regiment with a service number 21611. He was awarded a single British War Medal. This may be the Collingham man but we have no direct evidence to tie this record to 'our' man. The award of a single British War Medal, with no accompanying Victory Medal was made to men who had served overseas, but not in a theatre of war, for example those who served on garrison duty in India. Both the 1st Battalion and 1st Garrison Battalion Yorkshire Regiment served in India, but we cannot be sure that this is where Harold served.

After the war

After the war Harold married Annie Steele in 1920 in the Knaresborough District, and by 1939 he was living at 31 Flaxley Road, Selby with his wife Annie and son Thomas. Harold gave his occupation as a launderer in a steam laundry.

We think that Harold Graydon died in 1970 in the Howden area.

If you are able to help us identify him, please contact us.

Biography last updated 03 December 2019 13:20:26.


Sources

1911 Census. The National Archives. Class RG14 Piece 25962
The Wetherby News 18/9/1914
The Collingham Parish Magazine Dec 1914, Jan 1915, & Feb 1915
First World War Medal Index Cards. The National Archives (WO372).
First World War Medal Index Rolls. The National Archives (WO329).

If you have any photographs or further details about this person we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact us via: alan.berry@collinghamanddistrictwararchive.info