Harold was educated at Mr. Clough’s School in Shrewsbury; Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge; and Guy’s Hospital, qualifying B.A. in 1899, M.B., B.Ch. in 1904, and M.D. in 1910. For a few years he was engaged in research work at Cambridge, whilst holding a British Medical Association Scholarship. He had also held appointments at Guy’s Hospital; at Queen’s Hospital in Birmingham; and at the David Lewis Northern Hospital, Liverpool. He gained a commission of temporary Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. on 15th February 1915 and proceeded overseas on the 25th July as the Regimental Medical Officer with the 6th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment. On 15th February 1916, he was promoted to temporary Captain. In 1916 Harold is believed to have been wounded during fighting in Delville Wood and on 11th August was invalided home for sick leave. He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions at Delville Wood, clearing the wood of all the wounded. He soon returned to front lines and on 31st July 1917 was slightly wounded but remained on duty performing similar act as before, this time he was awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation reads “For most conspicuous bravery. During recent operations Capt. Ackroyd displayed the greatest gallantry and devotion to duty. Utterly regardless of danger, he worked continuously for many hours up and down and in front of the line tending the wounded and saving the lives of officers and men. In so doing he had to move across the open under heavy machine-gun, rifle and shell fire. He carried a wounded officer to a place of safety under very heavy fire. On another occasion he went some way in front of our advanced line and brought in a wounded man under continuous sniping and machine-gun fire. His heroism was the means of saving many lives, and provided a magnificent example of courage, cheerfulness, and determination to the fighting men in whose midst he was carrying out his splendid work. This gallant officer has since been killed in action." Harold was killed in Jargon Trench at Glencorse Wood, he was the son of Mr Edward Ackroyd, chairman of the Southport and Cheshire Railway Company; and the husband of Mabel R Ackroyd of Link Lodge, Melvern Link. [Photos: Special thanks to Stephen Page]