Harry Edward Tucker was born on 6 October, 1892, at West Clive in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, the sixth of ten known children to John Tucker, a dairyman, later a farmer, and Victoria Tucker (formerly Cheer). He had eight brothers and one sister: Alfred Ernest (1881); Roland (1883); Victor John (1885); Gilbert Roy (1888); Harold Bart (1890); Percival Vercoe (1894); Jack Bertram (1896); Phillip Kitto (1899); and Victoria Georgina (1901). The mother died in 1906 and the father lived at Pakowhai in Hawkes Bay, before moving to Weardale Orchard in Havelock North.

Harry Edward remained unmarried, working as a labourer in the wool classer at Whakatu, in Hawkes Bay. [His brother Gilbert Roy also served with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, becoming a sergeant with the 50th Reinforcements. His brother Harold Bart served in the 2nd Reserve.]

Prior to enlisting in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) Harry Edward Tucker had served for three years with the Territorials, as a member of ‘D’ Company, in the Hawkes Bay Regiment.

Harry Edward Tucker enlisted at Hastings, in New Zealand, on 14 August, 1914, joining the 1st Wellington Infantry Battalion, as a private, number 10/899. He was aged 25 and described as being 5’ 7½” tall; with dark hair; brown eyes; a dark complexion; weighing 149 lbs; and a chest measurement of 33”/36½”.

He embarked in New Zealand on 15 October, 1914, and disembarked in Egypt of 4 December. On 12 April, 1915, he embarked at Alexandria, bound for the Dardanelles, where he served at Gallipoli. He was sent to hospital on 6 August, 1915, and evacuated to Mudros. He embarked aboard the HS Ascania on 19 August and disembarked at Malta six days later, where he was admitted to St. David’s Hospital.

He embarked for England aboard the HS Oxfordshire on 18 September, and was then admitted to the 5th Northern General Hospital, at Leicester, on 24 September, suffering from paratyphoid A. He was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley on 2 October, where he remained until 23 March, 1916. He was then transferred to the Enteric Depot at Duke’s Hill, Woldingham, where he remained until 28 April.

From 2 May, 1916, he was attached to the New Zealand Base Depot at Hornchurch, where he remained to serve, joining the New Zealand Convalescent Depot on 11 October. On 14 March, 1917, he was detailed to the 1st New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst, until 23 April. He was discharged to Codford, in Wiltshire, on 29 August, and was taken on the strength of the 4th Reserve Battalion of the Wellington Regiment at Sling, in Gloucestershire, on 19 October. However, on 20 December, 1917, he was admitted to the 3rd New Zealand General Hospital at Codford St. Mary, and found to be suffering from carcinoma of the left teste.

On 11 April, 1918, a medical board recommended that he be discharged as permanently unfit. However, he was placed on the seriously ill list on 6 May, 1918, and placed on the dangerously ill list on 18 May. He died on 15 June from testicular cancer. He was aged 25. He was buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard at Codford on 18 June, 1918.

Harry Edward Tucker lies buried in St. Mary’s New Churchyard, at Codford St. Mary, Wiltshire, with his grave marked by a CWGC headstone. His name has not been identified on any local war memorial.

Harry Edward Tucker’s service earned him the 1914-15 Star; British War Medal, 1914-20; and Victory Medal, 1914-19, which were issued to his father, together with a memorial plaque and memorial scroll, to commemorate his sacrifice.