Sunday 24 May 2015

Platt, Harry - Private (44621)

(No soldier photo available)
12th Manchester Regiment,
Contracted tuberculosis in France.
Died in Hospital in Cheltenham on 24th May 1917
Age 20,
Buried at St. james, Haslingden.

Newspaper Report:

YOUNG SOLDIER'S FUNERAL

MILITARY HONOURS ACCORDED TO PRIVATE PLATT AT HASLINGDEN

There were large crowds at the military funeral of Private Henry Platt, of 39 Commerce Street, Haslingden on Tuesday afternoon, when the mills in that locality were idle for an hour out of respect.
A firing party, which numbered fourteen, marched in front of the hearse with reversed arms, and the coffin was covered by a Union Jack, with the deceased's cap and belt on top.
After the service, the firing party, who were from Pike Law Military hospital, fired three volloys over the grave at the Parish Churchyard, and the "Last Post" was sounded by Private Brady, late of the Scottish Borderers.
The Rev. W.T. Evans (curate of the Parish Church, Haslingden) conducted the service while the Mayor (Councillor E. Russell), the Rev. A.F. Hall, and the Rev. A.J. Keeley, were among others present.  Four wounded soldiers from Haslingden Red Cross Hospital were underbearers.
The deceased, who was a son of the late mr. Enoch Platt, overlooker at Carr Mill, was 20 years old and joined the Manchester Regiment on April 2nd 1916.  He went to France in July of the same year, but was sent to a hospital in Cheltenham in March, 1917.  Before joining the Army he worked as a weaver at Hutch Bank Mill. Jos Platt, his brother, is with the colours.
One of the many wreaths was a gift from the residents of Carrs.

Newspaper Memorials:

In loving memory of my dear Son Private Harry Platt, who died in hospital, Cheltenham, May 24th 1917 aged 20 years.

"When alone in my sorrow and bitter tears flow,
It brings back the time of the sweet long ago;
Unknown to the world he stands by my side,
And whispers "Dear mother, Death cannot divide."

Ever remembered by his loving Mother.

"Like ivy on the withered oak,
When all things else decay;
My love for you will still keep green,
And never fade away.

Fondly remembered by Pollie, of 188 Hud Rake, Haslingden.

"He has gone, but not for ever,
There will be a glorious dawn,
When we meet to part no more,
On the resurrection Morn."

From Jane, Ellen and Family.

"The face we loved is now laid low,
He fond true heart is still;
The hand we clasped when we said goodbye,
Lies cold in Death's cold chill."

From a dear Sister and Family, 285 Grane Road.

"Not dead to those who loved him,
Not lost, but gone before,
He lives with us in memory still,
And will for ever more."

To memory every dear, Florrie and Jim

"Sweet be your rest, brother dear,
"Tis sweet to breathe your name;
In life we loved you dearly
In death we do the same."

From Joe and Annie.

"Take him in Thy arms, O Lord,
And ever let him be,
A messenger of love between
Our aching hearts and Thee."

From Sarah, Alice and Family.

"For freedom and right his life he has given,
God grant we all shall meet him in heaven."

From his Brother and Sister in Law, Tom and Lizzie, 156 Manchester Road, Haslingden.

"A good life is often too short,
But a good name endureth for ever."

Ever remembered by his loving Mother.

"Sweet is his memory of my Sweetheart,
Sweet is his memory, dear to my heart,
My love to his memory never shall part;
Words cannot express my grief and pain -
I would give all I possess to have him back again."

Ever remembered by Pollie, 188 Hud Rake, Haslingden.

"Not dead to those who loved him,
Not lost, but gone before,
He lives with us in memory still,
And will for evermore."
"At Rest"

Florrie and Jim.

"There is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance last for ever."

From his Sister and Family, 285 Grane Road.

Sweet be your rest, brother dear,
"Tis sweet to breathe your name;
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same."

From Joe and Annie.

"Night and day he bore his pain,
To wait for care but all in vain;
God only knew what was the best,
He took him home and gave him rest."

From Sarah Alice and Family, 6 Jane Street.

"Only a memory of bygone days,
And a sigh for a face unseen;
But a constant feeling that God alone,
Knoweth best what might have been."

From his loving Brother and Sister, Tom and Lizzie.

"One of the best."

From his loving Sister and Brother in Law Jane Ellen and Jack and Kiddies.