THE bravery and determination of a local soldier who lost his leg during the First World War has been revealed.
Harry Davies joined the West Riding Regiment and was seriously injured during the battle of Arras in 1917.
He suffered gun shot wounds to his shoulder and his leg was amputated above the right knee in a field hospital on the battlefield.
Harry, then just 21-year-old, was repatriated to Roehampton Hospital, which was equipped with the latest surgical procedures and artificial limb facilities.
Despite the pain Harry, who lived in Macclesfield for 20 years, showed great determination to return to civilian life.
Ahead of the centenary celebrations of the First World War in 2014, his daughter Irene Weinberg has spoken of her revealed details of Harry's extraordinary story.
Irene, 84, of Gawsworth Road, Broken Cross, said: "I feel a great deal of pride of my father’s spirit and determination to succeed and look after his family despite the injuries and mental scars suffered as a result of that terrible war.
"Even in his last day the injuries he suffered gave him a lot of pain, but dad refused to let that get him down and remained a happy-go-lucky man, and wonderful father, husband and grandfather."
Originally from Stoke, Harry's life suffered a tragic start. His father died leaving his mother to work while Harry was put into care.
After leaving school Harry learned how to make shoes before signing up to do his bit in the Great War.
Irene said: "Harry fought alongside all those young boys who had marched off so enthusiastically to do their bit for King, country and the sheer adventure of it all. Soldiers like Harry with severe leg and arm wounds had the limb amputated to save their lives. This was carried out because of the need for absolute expediency due to the fear of infection.
"Harry received an artificial leg in 1918 and with his usual determination managed to use it sometimes with difficulty but never allowing any pain or discomfort to prevent him from eventually finding work in civilian life."
Harry had a strong work ethic and went to work in the mines in crutches.
He later got a job working for the General Post Office and moved to Cambridge Road, Macclesfield, in 1939 with his wife Florence and children Irene and Harry jnr.
He worked his way up the company to become night supervisor at the telephone exchange on Castle Street until he retirement. Harry died in 1959, aged 62.
