Harry Brunton Scuffham 1896-1917

Barnsley Chronicle 5 May 1917 (thanks to Barnsley Archives)

Born:
Q1 1896 in Barnsley
Baptised in St John's, Barnsley on 10 June 1896

Son of:
James William Scuffham b.1856 in Fishtoft, Lincolnshire d.1903 in Barnsley
1901:  25 Fleming Street, Barnsley Licensed Cab Driver
married at Long Sutton, Lincolnshire on 6 January 1880
to Sarah Ann (maiden name Fillingham) b.1855 Hertford, Herts d.1932 Barnsley

Position in family: The eighth of nine children
1. Elizabeth A Scuffham b.1881 d.1881
2. Ethel Annie Scuffham b.1883 d.1900
3. John Tom Scuffham b.1885 WW1 SERVICE married 1912 to Kathleen Thornton
4. James Edward Scuffham b.1888 married 1915 to Elizabeth Bell / 1926 to Enid Dawson
5. Madeline Scuffham b.1890 married 1915 to George Ward WW1 SERVICE
6. Joseph Fillingham Scuffham b.1893 d.1893
7. Sarah Annie Scuffham b.1894 married 1914 to William Walker
8. Harry Brunton Scuffham b.1896 WW1 DIED OF WOUNDS
9. Doris May Scuffham b.1899 married 1930 to Frederick Hickling

Home address, age and occupation: 
1901: 25 Fleming Street, Barnsley age 5
1911: 23 Westgate, Barnsley age 15 Colliery Lamp Boy
1915: 23 Westgate, Barnsley age 19 Motor Lorry Driver

Marriage: Harry was unmarried

Military Service:
Enlisted: 10 January 1915 at the "apparent" age of 20 years
Arrived in France: 26 July 1915
Regiment and Battalion:    Army Service Corps 180th Mechanical Transport Coy.
Service number and rank:  M2/033842  Private
Awards: 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Personal information:   5' 4" tall, 34" chest, 137lbs, good physical development
Religion: Methodist

Death:     17 April 1917 age 21 at the No.1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station
Buried at:  Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension
Grave Reference:  II. E. 71.
 

One panel of names at St Mary's Barnsley
inc Pte H B Scuffham (click to enlarge)

Information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission:
Son of Sarah Ann Smith, of 23 Westgate Barnsley and the late James William Scuffham.

Remembered:
Barnsley, St Mary's Church, Combined Memorial
 
Notes:
Harry's story on Lives of the First World War
 
Harry's death was reported in the Barnsley Chronicle on 28 April 1917.

"Private Harry P. Scuffham, A.S.C., has died of wounds received in action at the age of 21 years. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, 23, Westgate, Barnsley and the date of his death is given as April 17th, 1917.  He used to work as a motor driver at Barnsley Main Colliery."

His family had the following death notice inserted in the same edition of the Barnsley Chronicle.

"Scuffham - In affectionate remembrance of Pte. Harry Brunton Scuffham, A.S.C., the beloved son of James Wm. and Sarah Ann Smith who died of wounds April 17th, 1917 aged 21 years.  Memorial service on Sunday, May 5th, at 6pm, at Westgate Wesleyan Chapel.

No mother there did him attend,
No father there o'er him to bend:
No sisters near to shed a tear;
None but his comrades his voice to hear.

He nobly answered duty's call.
His life he gave for one and all:
But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow,
None but an aching heart can know.

From father, mother, brothers and sisters."

Two weeks later further details of Harry's death were reported in the 12 May 1917 edition of the Barnsley Chronicle.

"Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Smith, of 23, Westgate, Barnsley, have received several letters from the front in reference to the death in action of their son, Private H.B. Scuffham, A.S.C., which has already been announced in the "Chronicle".  It appears that death took place in the Clearing Station as a result of a shell wound of the head received the same day.  He is buried in the ____ cemetery and his grave bears a wooden cross inscribed with particulars to his memory.  At the time Pte. Scuffham was mortally wounded he and others were assisting the R.E. and were engaged in greasing their lorries when a shell burst nearby, striking him on the head.  The letters received describe the deceased as having been "a general favourite with everyone."