HARWOOD Gerald Stevens

Appears on the Army casualties list for Worcestershire.

A letter from the Reverend H. Francis Atkins, The Rectory, Church Lench, Evesham dated 23rd August 1950 can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives requesting that Private Gerald Stevens Harwood, 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire regiment, service no 14340460 be added to the county roll of honour.

Reverend Atkins sent a second letter dated 12th September 1950 with the same information.

The following additional information was researched and transcribed by Alan Stephens:
Gerald Stevens Harwood was the fourth of five sons of Albert and Ethel Harwood of Church Lench. After leaving Church Lench School he went to work for Alcester co-op and was also a member of the Home Guard. He joined the Army in autumn 1942 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment serving in Ireland and the Faroe Islands. On 15th February 1944 the battalion became part of the newly formed 56th Infantry Brigade. The Brigade part of 50th Division left Southampton at 1930hrs on 5th June and landed on Gold Beach at 1100hrs the next day with the objective of Bayeux. Later as part of 7th Armoured Division it took part in the assault on Tilly-sur-Seulles which was strongly defended and changed hands several times before finally being liberated. On 30th July, the 2nd Gloucesters took part in the breakout from the beachhead towards the Sain-Germain d’Edcot ridge 5 miles north of Villers-Bocage which was captured at 1700hrs.

On 8th August the battalion was transported to the River Orne and took up positions 3 miles north-east of Harcourt where it came under heavy shelling on the 10th August. On 12th August the battalion concentrated for an attack on Thury-Harcourt at short notice with very little reconnaissance. Thury-Harcourt is a small town in hilly and wooded country and was held in strength by the Germans.  Tanks could not approach owning to very steep paths. Heavy fighting reduced the town to an inferno. The attack failed and the battalion was withdrawn at 1900hrs. During the night the Germans also withdrew and the town was occupied on 13th August.

Gerald Stevens Harwood is recorded as having died of wounds on 13th August 1944.

The following information has been researched by John Barry:
1939 Register
The Poplars, Church Lench
Albert H. Harwood, born 13th March 1876, Market Gardener
Ethel M. Harwood, born 10th September 1888, Unpaid Domestic Duties
Kathleen Harwood, born 15th December 1912, Post Office Clerk
Albert D. Harwood, born 24th August 1918, Farm Labourer
John H. Harwood, born 27th October 1922, Market Gardener
Gerald Harwood, born27th May 1924, Butchers Shop Assistant
Malcolm D. Harwood, born 13th April 1928, At School

Evesham Standard, 2nd September 1944:
Son’s Death in Normandy
Sad News for Church Lench Family
Mr and Mrs Albert Harwood, of Church Lench, whose family have contributed so much to the national effort during these years of war, have received official news that their fourth son, Gerald, has died of wounds received in Normandy.
Gerald, who was 20, was educated at Church Lench Village School and at Evesham, and was employed by the Confectionery Department of the Alcester Co-Operative Society prior to joining the Army in 1942. He served in Ireland and the Faroes and went over to Normandy on D-Day with the Gloucesters.
In letters home he explained how he, with his comrades, had enjoyed cricket with improvised equipment.
Before joining the Army he was a member of the Home Guard. In one thing he was perhaps a little disappointed, he had hoped to go into the Navy, as his elder brothers John and Douglas had already done, but there were no vacancies at the time that he was due to go.
The Rural Dean, the Rev. A.E. Walker, conducted a memorial service in the parish church on Sunday evening, when the Home Guard paraded in honour of one who had been with them in past years, and the Rural Dean preached a most moving sermon to a crowded congregation.
The national contribution of the Harwood family is a worthy one. The father, Mr Albert Harwood, joined the Army on August 5, 1914 and served throughout the last war. In this war he has served as head warden for the village since 1938. His work for the Civil Defence has been arduous and in it he has been helped by his wife, who has found time to work for the W.V.S.
Leslie, the eldest son, is a member of the Home Guard and has qualified in first aid. Douglas, the second son, who is also in possession of his first certificate for St. John’s Ambulance, joined the Navy as a gunner in November, 1943, and John, the third son, who belonged to the Home Guard, joined the Navy as a gunner in May, 1942. Malcolm, the fifth son, not yet of military age, is a Civil Defence messenger.
The report includes photographs of Gerald, John and Douglas Harwood.