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Harold Beresford, born on 25th January 1897, was admitted to King Edward’s School in January 1909 from Woodroughs School, Moseley. He lived with his parents, Herbert James, a manufacturer, and Jeannie, at 124, Anderton Park Road, Moseley (later School Road, Moseley).
At School, Harold was a talented chess-player, forming part of a winning team against the University of Birmingham in February 1915. He went on to that self-same university where he joined the Officer Training Corps, having already spent time in the School OTC.
Harold enlisted as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery in November 1915. He later had a spell in the Anti-Aircraft KAA Battery, before winning the Military Cross in April 1918. This date is significant as it was the first day of Operation Georgette, the second phase of the German Spring Offensive. The citation reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when forward observation officer. He remained at his post until his communications were cut and he was nearly surrounded. He eventually brought in very useful information. He subsequently displayed great coolness and gallantry whilst temporarily in command of his battery.”
Harold died of wounds on 24th May 1918 at Ypres, aged twenty-one, and is buried at Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, France.