More about Henry Bowman (aka Harry) Hunter

Harry has no known grave but is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

A.B. Harry Hunter, who was erroneously reported as invalided home last week, has been killed in action. His mother resides at 12 Benvie Road, Dundee, and his father is now serving in the Black Watch.

Dundee Peoples Journal Dec 23rd 1916.

According to his official papers he was a Howe Man.

Enlisted 6/4/15 ; Draft for MEF 1/8/15, joined Drake Bn. 20/8/15, temporarily attached Cyclist Company 28/8/15-30/8/15 Dysentery, Invalided to UK 18/9/15 ; Draft for BEF (Lewis Gunner) 10/7/16, joined Howe Bn. 20/8/16-13/11/16 DD. 

CWGC = Hood Bn. ; A Power Loom Worker ; b.26/3/1896 ; Next-of-Kin & home address: Mother, Annie, 12 Benvie Rd., Dundee ; ADM/171 = St.V.B. issued to Universal Legatee.

Harry Hunter was the son of Mrs Annie Hunter of 12 Benvie Road, Dundee, brother to Mina and worked as a power Loom Operator. His Father, Private Peter Hunter, was serving in the Black Watch. In April 1915 he volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training. He was drafted to the Drake Battalion in Gallipoli in August but was detached to the Royal Marine Brigade as a Cyclist. However, he became ill with dysentery and was evacuated to Britain onboard the Hospital Ship Aquitania in September and admitted to the Naval Hospital in Plymouth. On discharge from the hospital he was sent on 28 days convalescence leave. He returned to Blandford and remained there until July 1916 when he was drafted to the Howe Battalion serving in France. During his time at Blandford he had trained as a Lewis Gunner, part of a team of four men operating a light machine gun. The RND began to experience the war on the Western Front and was being prepared to join in the Somme battle. One of the first day’s objectives of the British attack on 1 July 1916 was the capture of the village of Beaucourt just to the west of the River Ancre. It was finally taken on 14 November 1916 by the men of the RND. This was the first major operation by the RND in France and established a reputation for being a “Can Do” Division. However, the casualty list was very long and over 30 local men were killed and countless more wounded. This was the worst ever day for Dundee’s Naval forces in the First World War. Harry Hunter was listed as killed in action and his body was not recovered and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in the Somme Department in Northern France. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists his Battalion as the Hood.

Iain Stewart and Iain Birnie