National Roll of Honour 1914-18

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The National Roll was created after the First World War to record the “names and records of service of those who helped to secure victory for the Empire”. It was published in 14 Sections and an Index. The men (and a very few women) of Harpenden are recorded in Section 5, Luton. The Roll made no claim to being a complete book of reference, but it does provide information which may not be recorded elsewhere. The entries above have been summarised. The Luton volume can be consulted in the Harpenden Local History archives.

Of 125 names listed in the attached document 13 died or were killed, 34 wounded and 6 gassed. There are about 180 WWI deaths recorded on Church Green and Church war memorials and many names are not included. Two names in National Roll, J. Lawrence and W. Ray, are not on any War Memorial, but W. Wray is listed in St Nicholas Church.

About half the names correspond to addresses in 1913 Kelly’s Directory, and the remainder are assumed to be lodgers. Wheathampstead Road is now Southdown Road, Newcombe St is now Park Hill, Symington St now Park Mount.