http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1768687/SELLERS,%20HARRY

Harry pictured (left) with his friend Frank Butler who also lost his life during the War, photograph from Buxton Advertiser.

Photo kindly supplied by Carmel & John Mills

Harry Sellers: 11th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) was raised at Mill Hill in August 1914 as part of Kitchener’s First New Army and joined 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. They trained at Colchester moving to Shorncliffe in November and in February 1915 they moved into Ramillies Barracks at Aldershot for final training. The Divison proceeded to France between the 29th of May and 1st of June 1915 landing at Boulogne, they concentrated near St Omer and by 6th of June were in the Meteren-Steenwerck area with Divisional HQ being established at Nieppe. They underwent instruction from the more experienced 48th (South Midland) Division and took over a section of the front line at Ploegsteert Wood on the 23rd of June 1915. They were in action in The Battle of Loos from the 30th of September, taking over the sector from Gun Trench to Hulluch Quarries consolidating the position, under heavy artillery fire. On the 8th they repelled a heavy German infantry attack and on the 13th took part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, capturing Gun Trench and the south western face of the Hulluch Quarries. During this period at Loos, 117 officers and 3237 men of the Division were killed or wounded.By the 21st they moved to Fouquieres-les-Bethune for a short rest then returned to the front line at the Hohenzollern Redoubt until the 15th of November, when they went into reserve at Lillers. On the 9th of December, 9th Royal Fusiliers assisted in a round-up of spies and other suspicious characters in the streets of Bethune. On the 10th the Division took over the front line north of La Bassee canal at Givenchy. On the 19th of January they began a period of training in Open Warfare at Busnes, then moved back into the front line at Loos on the 12th of February 1916. – See more at:http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/middlesexregiment11-gw.php#sthash.AE8HEJT1.dpuf

Born: 20th March 1895 Fairfield to Joseph & Catherine Sellers, registered as Harry Sellors Vol 7b Page 844 A/M/J Qtr

1900: Harry started North Road School on 26th June 1900, already at school was his older sister Lillian (Lillie) born 26th February 1891 who started school on 8th June 1896. Harry also had 2 older brothers John Thomas born 1st October 1872 started school 31st March 1879, Frederick born 16th November 1886 started school 29th April 1895, as well as Lillie there were 2 other sisters Bertha born 5th August 1876 & May born 30th May 1881, Bertha & May started school on the same day, 10th September 1889.
1911 Census: Living at 35 Windsor Road, Fairfield (living with Mum & Brothers & Sisters) aged 16yrs, his occupation was a Fruiterer’s Assistant.

Rank: Acting Corporal

Loos Memorial 2014 (Panel 99-101).

Obituary from The Buxton Advertiser

Corporal H Sellors
Official news has been received from the War Office of the death of, Corporal Harry Sellors, of Fairfield. Before the statement arrived Lance-Corporal T Elliott conveyed the news to Mrs Sellors, in the following letter :- “It is with my deepest sympathy that I inform you of the death of Harry, which took place last Friday (3rd inst). He was shot through the head by a German sniper. I know what a terrible blow it will be to you & the girls, for he was a good lad, and thought alot of his home. It is only a few weeks since he joined us, but we have spent many happy hours together, hours I shall never forget. When we came to France there were five Buxton boys in our Battalion; two have given their lives for their country, and the other two are wounded. Then came Arthur Phillips, but I hope to see Arthur again before long: he has gone into hospital, but should be well again soon….. May God comfort you and all the family in your bitter loss. The deceased was the son of Mrs Sellors, Windsor Road and would he have lived, have celebrated his 21st birthday on the 20th inst. He attended Fairfield Wesleyan Chapel and was employed by Mr J H Dale and had a very promising career before him. He has two other brothers serving, and of the three he was the youngest. He was first wounded at Loos, in the head by shrapnel, and was home on sick leave at Christmas. He joined the Middlesex Regiment in 1914. The family have the deepest sympathy of all in their irreparable loss.

Report from Buxton Advertiser researched 2014

Harry is remembered on same Memorial Panel 99-101 @ Dud Corner, Loos as Pte John Stenson G/6417 & Pte John Rawlinson G/5806 both from Fairfield, Pte Harold Orgill from Fairfield also remembered at the same memorial.