Lieutenant, 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment.
Died 1st July 1916, age approx. 22.
Buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery.
Former student of engineering.
Harold was born in 1874 at Brooklands, Manchester, son of G.H.Lomas. He studied at both Manchester Technical College and Manchester University graduating with an BSc. in Engineering in 1895. A skilled cricketer he played for the Manchester City Football Club Supporters cricket team and Wimbledon Cricket Club. In 1900 he took a job with the Crocker-Wheeler Company of New York and emigrated to the U.S.A. He became a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers in 1903.
Officially too old to be called up for War Service, Harold left his wife and two young daughters to travel back to Britain from his home in Baltimore to fight. He enlisted in the 20th (5th City Pals) Battalion Manchester Regiment and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. The battalion was raised on 8th November 1914 by the lord Mayor of Manchester. Originally part of the 30th (New Army) Division they moved to France in November 1915 and transferred to the 7th Division in time for the Battle of the Somme. By now Harold had been promoted to Lieutenant. On 1st July 1916 his battalion was not in the initial attack, but in immediate support in the Fricourt sector. At 14.30 they were called on to attack enemy positions in a quarry on the Mametz-Becordel Road. The attack was to cost the Battalion 310 casualties; amongst them was Harold, cut down leading his men forward.