Second Lieutenant Thomas Harcourt Harvey (189077) served in 6th Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps during the Second World War. Known as Harcourt, he was the son of Robert Harvey and the late Mary Elena Harvey (née Harcourt) of Railway Street, Poyntzpass, Co Armagh.
The family lived in Moyglass, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh where Harcourt was born. After Robert Harvey became the Headmaster of Poyntzpass Public Elementary School in 1932, the family settled in Railway Street near the school. Harvey enlisted in the Royal Tank Regiment in 1938 after leaving Dundalk Grammar School, Dundalk, Co. Louth.
By 1940, he was a Regimental Signal Officer in North Easter Africa serving under General Archibald Wavell during the successful advance on Benghazi, Libya. In March 1941, Rommel’s Afrika Korps counterattacked and the Allied forces retreated. During this retreat, between 4th April 1941 and 6th April 1941, 6th Royal Tank Regiment came under attack from the Luftwaffe. With vehicles destroyed and water and fuel shortages, the regiment abandoned several tanks.
C Squadron of the regiment experienced many difficulties during those few days. On 5th April 1941, the regiment lost contact with the squadron. The Commanding Officer dispatched 2 lorries under the command of Captain HB Ball. Second Lieutenant Harvey was the navigator. They were to travel 10 miles south, establish contact with, and assist C Squadron. They returned without success and the following day were due to move northward towards Marua.
The lorries followed orders issued to Sergeant Watson and set off to Marua. Captain Ball and Second Lieutenant Harvey delayed while the Poyntzpass man began to make a cup of tea that would cost his life. Harcourt died on 6th April 1941 aged 21 years old. While having tea with Captain Ball, troops from Rommel’s Afrika Korps surrounded the men, killing Harvey and taking Ball prisoner. Ball wrote to the Harvey family in Poyntzpass, Co. Armagh and wished to meet them after the war. The Captain died in captivity and never got to fulfill the wish.
Thomas Harcourt Harvey has no known grave. His name is on Column 21 of the El Alamein War Memorial, Egypt.