Michael Harty likeness

Michael Harty cap badgePrivate Michael Harty

Gordon Highlanders posted to 2/14th (County of London) Battalion (London Scottish) London Regiment
Service No: S/22903

Michael Harty grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of Thomas and Isabella McCann Harty. Husband of Mary Anderson Harty of 12 Long Row, Coatbridge. They married on the 17/04/1906. They had eight children, five of whom died as babies, son Thomas (born 03/07/1913) as a teenager. His wife Mary died in 1929. Two daughters, Isabella (born 14/08/1906) and Catherine (born 23/09/1916) lived to marry. Both died in their twenties. The family lived next door to Michael's mother at Long Row. From the 1891 Census - Address - 17 Stone Row, Coatbridge - Thomas Harty aged 37, Isabella Harty aged 37, Patrick Harty aged 14, Thomas Harty aged 12, John Harty aged 11, James Harty aged 10, Michael Harty aged 8, Andrew Harty aged 6, Mary Harty aged 3. Michael's Pension was awarded to his wife Mary on the 02/05/1919. Children Isabella, Thomas and Catherine also listed.

Born / Resided

17 Stone Row, Coatbridge / 12 Long Row, Coatbridge.

Died

Died of Wounds on the 02/10/1918 at the 97th Field Ambulance as a result of gas poisoning the day before at the Battle of Ypres (part of the Final Advance in Flanders)

Enlisted

Coatbridge 1914 previously 20/01/1902 in Coatbridge

Employed

Puddler in Dundyvan Iron Works.

Age

35 / DOB - 27/05/1883

Buried / Remembered

Kandahar Farm Cemetery (I. D. 2), West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Cemetery / Memorial Information

Kandahar Farm was near the village of Wulverghem (now Wulvergem) and for much of the war, the front line ran a little east of the village. The cemetery was used by Commonwealth divisions holding this sector from November 1914 to April 1918, when it fell into German hands with the capture of Wulverghem and Neuve-Eglise (now Nieuwkerke). The two villages were recovered in early September and the cemetery was used again. There are now 443 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery.

Additional Information

The 2/14th (County of London) Battalion (London Scottish) arrived at Audruicq, France on the 22 /06/1918 and were part of the 90th Brigade, 30th Division when Michael died at the Battle of Ypres, 28th September - 2nd October 1918. The Battalion War Diary states - "In the Field 01/10/1918 - Patrol out to RIVER LYS again during day. Battalion relieved on night 1st/2nd Oct by 29th Durham Light Infantry,14th Division and moved into Reserve. Before relief gas shell burst in RAP (Regimental Aid Post) causing following casualties - CAPT. I.D. STUBBS, R.A.M.C. attached 2/14th London Regiment and 5 Other Ranks Wounded". SEE PHOTOS x 11 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1918. The Battle of Ypres was part of The Final Advance in Flanders from the 28th September - 11th November 1918 : The British Second Army and Belgian Army combine and finally break out of the Ypres salient. More ground is gained in a day that in the entire Passchendaele offensive of a year before. The offensive continues through fighting in the Courtrai area and eventually well across the Scheldt. Michael enlisted age 18 and served from 1902 - 1908 with the 4th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles, Service No 3848). He returned to the Army at the outbreak of war. He enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders and was posted to the 2nd/14th Battalion London Regiment (London Scottish) with whom he was serving when he died at the 97th Field Ambulance of gas poisoning from the day before. Michael is also listed as serving with Royal Army Medical Corps (130846) on his Medal Index Card and Service Medal and Award Rolls. A big thanks to Anne Harty who provided Michael's family and service information. Also a big thanks to Michael's other relatives Anne and her father for the photo of Anne's Dads visit to Michael's Grave. Michael is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Michael's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping (this states DIED 08/10/1918 and CAMERON HIGHLANDERS), his CWGC Grave Registrations x 2, another one of Michael's Headstone, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his Headstone Report x 2, the London Scottish Cap Badge, the Royal Army Medical Corps Cap Badge, the Gordon Highlanders Cap Badge, Michael's Attestation Papers from 1902 - 1908 x 3 and his Pension Records x 3.

Photos
Michael Harty Medal Index CardMichael Harty newspaper clippingMichael Harty remembered at homeMichael Harty remembered at homeMichael Harty remembered at homeMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photoMichael Harty additional photo

War Diaries

The battalion War Diary is available on the National Archives website.

Creative Commons License

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Comments
A little additional information taken from my research notes. Michael Harty born to Thomas Harty and Isabella McCann on 27th May 1883 at 17 Stone Row, Dundyvan was the fifth son in a family of seven children born to Thomas and Isabella. On 20 Jan 1902 he was living at 24 Long Row, Coatbridge and was 18 years old when he first enrolled with the Scottish Rifles, Battalion 4, Service No. 3848. At the time of enlistment he worked for Dundyvan Ironworks, Coatbridge as an Ironworker. He married Mary Anderson at St. Patrick's Church, Coatbridge on 17 April 1906. Mary died 1929. They had eight children, five of whom died as babies, one as a teenager. Two daughters, Isabella and Catherine lived to marry. Both died in their twenties.
Anne Harty, Coatbridge, ML5 3HT, 30/06/2019 12:50AM

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