Harry was the son of Newton and Margaret Sproson, 17 Read Street, Higher Hillgate, Stockport. The 1901 Census records that Newton, then aged 25, had been born in Congleton and was working as a planker at a hat works. Margaret was 30.

The Census also records Harry's brothers and sister - Mary (10), John (3) and Frank (7 months. Died between July and September 1901). It also mentions two older boys, Ernest (15) and Herbert (17), both born in Congleton, who were possibly Harry's uncles.

Harry's original service number, 1641, suggests he was a pre-war member of the Territorial Army and would have been mobilised when war was declared. Click here for details of the Battalion's early months of service. He was killed during a major attack described here.