This memorial page is dedicated to Harold Andrew Hyde, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Harold Andrew Hyde

Name: Hyde
First names: Harold Andrew
Nickname: –
Date of birth: 20 December 1912
Place of birth: Moston, Manchester
Residence: Wood Lea, 2 Green Lane, Ashton-on-Mersey, Cheshire
Rank / Occupation: Private / Polisher, maker of wooden furniture
Identity tag: 1685685
Unit: King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 6th Battalion
Date of death: 13 November 1944
Place of death: Neerkant
Cause of death: Fatally wounded whilst preparing the defences
Cemetery: Nederweert War Cemetery
Memorial site: –

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Additional information

Grave location: II. D. 8.

Aged 31. Son of James and Helen Hyde; widow Doris (Tracey) Hyde, of Heaton Chapel, Lancashire. Father of Cherril H. Hyde and Valerie Hyde.

Harold Andrew Hyde’s field grave was situated at Dorpsstraat No. 42 in Neerkant.

Below is an overview of his military career: (with thanks to Jürgen Beekers)

  • 8 May 1933: Harold enlisted in Manchester to serve with the Royal Signals Territorial Army (service number: 2569109) and was posted to the 42nd Divisional Signals. This was the signals unit of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division. For information: the Territorial Army was a branch of the British Army consisting of part-time volunteers.
  • 7 May 1937: Harold resigned from the Territorial Army.
  • 30 September 1940: Harold joins the Royal Artillery of the Territorial Army. He is posted to the 54th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment.
  • 29 August 1944: Harold is transferred to the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
  • 31 October 1944: Harold leaves for the front in Europe. The 1st Battalion of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers is part of the British 3rd Infantry Division and is stationed near Overloon/Vierlingsbeek/Schafferden at this time.
  • 11 November 1944: Harold is transferred to the 6th Battalion of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. This battalion is stationed in Neerkant, near the hamlet of Schelm.
  • 13 November 1944: Harold was killed in action whilst securing his position.

View all persons in the category: Allied soldiers killed in action