Harold's Story.
Birkenhead News 25 August 1917
WELL-KNOWN NORTH END FAMILY
Doubly bereaved.
Mrs. Uytendhal, a well-known resident in the North End, has lately received word that her youngest son, Sapper Harold Uytendhal, and her son-in-law, Private P.T. Almond, have both been killed in action, one within five days of each other.
Gunner Harold Uytendhal, brother-in-law of the late Pte. Almond, was killed in action on the 26th July. He enlisted in the West Lancs. R.F.A., in September 1915, and although only 18 ½ years old when he was killed, he had been in France for 20 months. During that time he had not been home on leave, but was expected home this month. He was educated at Laird Street Council School, and was goalkeeper for his football team while there. Afterwards he went to work at Messrs. H. and C. Grayson Ltd. His mother has received from the late soldier’s Major a letter which runs :- ”I very much regret to inform you of your son’s death. It happened in the battery position when a stray shell landed, killing five of the battery instantly. I wish to express on behalf of myself and the other officers our very deepest sympathy. Since he joined the battery your son has become a thoroughly trained and reliable gunner, and we feel his loss very much. One point I can perhaps ease you about is that he suffered no pain, death being instantaneous. He was buried in a military cemetery with the others, and an officer and some of his companions attended the funeral.”
Another sympathetic letter has been received from the Lieutenant, who refers to Gunner Uytendhal as “a valuable member of the battery.” Mrs Uytendhal’s only other son has been in France for nearly three years; another son-in-law Sapper R. Davidson, a well-known Birkenhead butcher, has been at the front for over two years; while still another son-in-law, Company Sergeant-major and Warrant Officer Harrison, was killed two years ago, leaving Mrs. Harrison with seven children.