Harry was born in Ash in 1874, the first son of Thomas Shrubsole & Sarah Cooper nee Shand and the younger brother of two sisters. His parents later went on to have more children & Harry ended up with 5 siblings.
He lived with his parents & siblings in Ash until 11 Jan 1891 when he joined the army as a gunner in the Royal Artillery giving his age as 19 years when in fact he was only just 16 years old!
He stated on enrolment that he was a farm labourer.
On 24 Dec 1897 he signed to extend his service to complete 12 years with the colours.
He was promoted to Corporal in Nov 98 & then to Sergeant in Oct 1900.
He re-engaged on 30 May 1902 to complete 21 years service.
By 2 Dec 1908 he was awaiting trial for something {as yet cannot establish what}; he was tried and rank reduced to Corporal (sentence remitted).
He was then discharged at his own request after serving 18 years service on 15 Jan 1909 with a pension of 16d per day.
On discharge at Weymouth in 1909 he was described as 37 years (so had never disclosed real dob); he was 5' 11" in height, 40" chest, fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair & his intended residence was 37 High Street, Ash, Kent (presumably with parents).
He had done two tours of India whilst in service from 22.1.1892-28.3.1898 and from 13.9.1898-23.4.1906 The rest of his service he was stationed in the UK.
He married Sarah Cooper nee Shrand, a widow, 21 Jan 1909 in Weymouth & Harry was once again working as a labourer.
When WWII broke out Harry re enlisted 29 Sep 1914 at the rank of Sergeant & joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on 15 Jan 1916
He was discharged as medically unfit 16 Sep 1916 and awarded the Silver War Badge.
[The Silver War Badge was issued in the United Kingdom to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness during World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the Discharge Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement.
The sterling silver lapel badge was intended to be worn in civilian clothes. It had been the practice of some women to present white feathers to apparently able-bodied young men who were not wearing the King's uniform. The badge was to be worn on the right breast while in civilian dress, it was forbidden to wear on a military uniform.
The circular badge bears the royal cipher of GRI (for Georgius Rex Imperator; George, King and Emperor) and around the rim "For King and Empire; Services Rendered". Each badge was uniquely numbered on the reverse. The War Office made it known that they would not replace Silver War Badges if they went missing, however if one was handed into a police station then it would be returned to the War Office. If the original recipient could be traced at his or her discharge address then the badge would be returned.]
In 1919 he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
His wife had died sometime between 1921 & 1939 and in 1942 at the age of 67 years Harry died of heart failure with chronic bronchitis. Sandra C 26.7.2022
