Harry Avery was born in Chailey around 1898.  When the 1901 census was taken, the family was living at 13 South Street, Chailey.  The family comprised Thomas Avery (head of the household, aged 48), his wife Caroline (42) and their seven children: Thomas (aged 21), Edith (aged 18), Rose (aged 16), Frederick (aged 13), Harriett (aged nine), Arthur (aged six) and Harry (aged two).  Thomas senior worked as a carter on a farm.  His son Thomas was a brick-maker (presumably working at Norman’s, locally) and Edith worked as a general domestic servant.  The family also had a boarder, 22 year old Frank Funnell who worked as a labourer in at the local brickyard.

Harry Avery first appears in Chailey Parish Magazine in March 1916 where his name is one of several noted in a special list of attested men.  In April 1917 he appears again as Avery, Pte H, TR Batt.  In December 1917 he is noted as serving with the 3rd Norfolk Regiment and by January 1918 with the 7th Norfolk Regiment.  His last entry in the Parish Magazine appears in July 1919 where he is still noted as serving with the 7th Norfolk Regiment.  He was given the army number 32967.

The 7th Norfolk Regiment was a New Army Battalion formed at Lincoln in September 1914.  It formed part of the 51st Brigade in the 17th (Northern) Division throughout the war.

Chailey resident Reg Philpott remembered Harry Avery as Henry Avery.

Another Avery, J Avery, also served in the First World War and it is possible that Harry was related to him.  Like Harry, his brothers Thomas and Arthur both served in the army during World War 1 and both survived.

Sources & Acknowledgments

• 1901 Census of England & Wales
• The National Archives – Medal Index Card
• Chailey Parish Magazine
• Interview with Chailey resident Reg Philpott in 2003