Harold John Strangward was born on 30 January 1884 in Marylebone, London, the youngest of the six children of Robert Strangward (1840-1919) and Emily Strangward née Hawkins (1845-1905). His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1884 in the Marylebone registration district, Middlesex (now Greater London). He was baptised on 13 April 1884 at St John's Church, Paddington, where the baptismal register shows that his family were living at 22 Seymour Place, Marylebone and that his father was a fruiterer.
In the 1891 census he is shown as aged 7 years, still residing at 22 Seymour Place, Marylebone, London, with his parents and his four surviving siblings: George James Strangward (1869-1907) who was described as a clerk; Ada Emily Louisa Strangward (1871-1912) - a stationer; Nellie Gertrude Strangward (1874-1915) - a dressmaker and Robert William Strangward (1875-1895) - a clerk. His father continued to be shown as a fruiterer. An elder sister, Emily May Strangward (1879-1882), had died, aged 3 years, before he had been born.
On 10 July 1899 he was employed as a clerk in the Solicitors' Department of the Great Western Railway at Paddington at a salary of £20-0s-0d per annum. His remuneration was increased by £10 each year until 1908 by which time he was being paid £90-0s-0d per annum.
He was shown as a solicitor's clerk in the 1901 census, still living at 22 Seymour Place, Marylebone, with his parents, his sister Nellie Gertrude Strangward - a domestic agency clerk, together with one male and two female boarders. His father was described as a fruiterer shopkeeper.
He was shown on the 1909 electoral register as occupying a furnished bed-sitting room, at the front of the 2nd floor at 22 Seymour Place, Marylebone, for which he paid 15 shillings per week.
He was still listed as a solicitor's clerk for the Great Western Railway in the 1911 census and was living at 12 Ivy Road, Cricklewood, Middlesex (now Greater London), with his retired father.
He married Kathleen Martin (b.1885) in the 2nd quarter of 1911 in the Marylebone registration district and they had two children: Frederick George Strangward (1912-1939) and Robert Martin Strangward (1913-2003),
On the outbreak of World War One he enlisted as a private in the 9th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles), service number 1768 and entered France on 6 June 1915. He was serving as a Corporal when he was killed in action on 30 May 1916. His body was buried in Plot 4, Row H, Grave 3, in the Hebuterne Military Cemetery, Rue de la Huie, 62111 Hébuterne, France.
Probate records confirm that his address had been 95 St John's Cottages, Giants Grave, Briton Ferry, Neath, Glamorganshire, Wales and that when administration with a will was granted to his widow on 5 October 1916 his estate totalled £180-17s-10d. On 24 July 1916 his army effects totalling £7-2s-9d were sent to his widow who was also sent his £9-0s-0d war gratuity on 17 December 1919. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, The British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown as 'STRANGWARD.H. RFN. 9.V.RIFLES.' on the Quebec Chapel war memorial at the Church of The Annunciation, Bryanston Street, London, W1H 7AH and as STRANGWARD, H.J. on the Great Western Railway Roll of Honour which was reproduced and displayed at many stations served by the railway company. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website and on the London WW1 War Memorial website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
