255291 Rflmn. Harold Ayling Low British Army 7th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps from:Arlesey, Bedfordshire (d.21st March 1918) Harold was the eldest son of Thomas William Low and Julia Ayling of Breachwood Green, near Welwyn Hertfordshire. He was born in Lower Clapton, Middlesex in 1891. Shortly after his birth Harold was living with his parents in Wratten Road, Hitchin and Thomas was working as a police constable. In 1901 Harold was living with his parents and brothers John & Albert and sister, Lily in Cole Green, Hertingfordbury, Hertford. Thomas was a police constable. In the 1911 census Harold is living with his mother, brothers John and Albert and sisters Lily and Edna at Grantham Cottage, Knebworth, Hertfordshire.
He enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps in London on the 3rd July 1915, at the age of 25 years. Before enlisting he had been employed as a clerk by The Great Northern Railway Company, and was living on Hitchin Road, Arlesey. Harold was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps on 9th July 1915 and posted to BEF on 23rd December.
Harold was admitted to hospital on 4th July 1916 suffering from wounds to his face that were described by the Medical Officer as being "of a trivial nature". His injury occurred while he was in the performance of military duty. He was granted a furlough from 23rd November to 3rd December 1917 to visit his parents and stayed at the Queen's Head in Breachwood Green. Harold was reported as missing on 21st March 1918 and his death was presumed to have occurred on this date.
Harold was awarded the 1914-15 Star and this was sent to his father in February 1920. Remembered with honour at Pozieres Memorial
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