Lance-Corporal William Albert Harfield, L/6446, a reservist serving with the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London), died on September 21st, 1914, from wounds received in action.

Another reservist, Mr G. T. Denmark, of 78 Highbury Road, Luton, who was in the same hospital ward at Vailly, told Mrs Harfield that her 33-year-old husband had suffered terrible injuries, including the loss of both of his legs. Another friend was understood to have been by his side when he was wounded.

Born at East Ashling, a village near Chichester in Sussex, Lance-Corporal Harfield joined the Army as a boy, entering the band of the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He served 14 years with the colours, six being spent in India. In 1910 he left the colours and was placed in D Reserves.

He came to Luton shortly afterwards and was employed as a beltman at the Vauxhall Motors works. His family lived in Ramridge Road, Round Green, before he moved with his wife, two small children and aged father to live at Hope Villa, Gardenia Avenue, Leagrave, in 1913.

While in Luton he assisted the band of the 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, playing a trombone, but was excused camp that year. He was called up on August 5th to re-join his old battalion, the 1st Battn, Royal Fusiliers, at Kinsale in Ireland, and he was then transferred to the 4th Battalion, which left for the front almost immediately.