Harcourt John Snowden was killed in action on this day in 1915
Harcourt John Snowden was born in Ramsgate 12 Dec 1887, the younger son of the Rev Harcourt Charles Vaux Snowden, Preparatory Schoolmaster, and wife Augusta Louisa (née Daniel) of St Peter’s, Broadstairs.
He was educated at Hildersham House, Broadstairs and Parkfield, Haywards Heath until, in 1901, he attended Rugby School. Here he gained his cap in 1905 and represented the school first XI in 1906.
In 1906, he went up to Trinity College, Oxford and took his degree in 1909, gaining a Second Class (Hons) in History. Whilst at Trinity, he represented the college in cricket and hockey.
From January 1910 to July 1914, he was unmarried and living at 7 Charles Street, Hemel Hempstead.
He worked as a Master at Lockers Park Preparatory School in Hemel Hempstead.
On 2 June 1913, he joined the Hertfordshire Regiment and, on 26 September 1914, was promoted Lieutenant. On the outbreak of war, he volunteered for foreign service, served with the 1st Battalion in France and Flanders.
Harcourt was killed in action while visiting sentries early in the morning of 11 Jan 1915 on the Rue du Bois, Richebourg St. Vaast, near Béthune. After seeing that the sentries were at their posts, he crossed the Rue du Bois and, in doing so, was shot. He was age 27.
The Battalion War Diary for January 1915 includes:-
2-1-15. The Bn was relieved by the 1st Bn K.R.R. Corps and marched about 5 miles into billets about 1 ½ miles north of LOCON.
8-1-15. Marched from our billets about 4 ½ miles to RICHEBOURG ST VAAST where we remained until evening of 10th.
10-1-15. Took over trenches from Irish Guards. We had 6 posts of 8 men in trenches and 4 Companies in RUE DU BOIS, SE of RICHEBOURG in support. Remaining 3 Companies in reserve. Company in trenches relieved every 12 hours.
11-1-15. Lieut. H.J. Snowden [Harcourt John SNOWDEN] was killed (in support).
12-1-15. Relieved by Irish Guards and returned to RICHEBOURG.
His Major said “I had such confidence in him that, when I knew that he was the officer on duty, I never went round the posts to see that all was well”.
Another officer wrote “He was a fine example to us all of a good and straight living Englishman”.
He was buried at Rue-des-Berceaux Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l'Avoué.
His older brother, Arthur Owen Snowden, enlisted with the Inns of Court OTC in December 1915, survived the war and lived until 1964.
Lieut. Harcourt John Snowden, 1st Bn Hertfordshire Regiment (T.F.)