Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Munns, an iron stone labourer, born 1858 in Finedon, Northants., and his wife Sarah Jane Munns (nee Barnard, married Q3 1888 in the Melton Mowbray, Leics. district), born 1858 in Ab Kettleby, Leics. Harry was born on the 19th May 1889 in Ab Kettleby, Leics., he had a half blood sibling, John Barnard, a schoolboy, born 1884 in Ab Kettleby, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Ab Kettleby, Leics. In March 1901 Harry was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Wartnaby Road, Ab Kettleby, Leics., together with his father, now an ironstone furnaceman, his mother and siblings, William, a schoolboy, born 1892 and George, a schoolboy, born 1894, both his siblings were born in Ab Kettleby, Leics., also residing with the family was a cousin, Robert Barnard, a schoolboy, born 1896 in Ab Kettleby, Leics. In April 1911 Harry was employed as an iron foundry core turner and was residing in the family home at New Row, Ab Kettleby, Leics., together with his father, now an ironstone labourer, his mother and brother William, a blast furnace worker, also residing with the family was his half blood sibling, John Barnard, a blast furnace worker. Harry was recorded as an Army Reservist on the 6th December 1915. He enlisted on the 12th July 1917 and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 12th July 1917, joining his unit, the Anson Battalion on the 12th November 1917, and serving with this unit until he was detached from active service suffering from pyrexia (high body temperature) on the 7th May 1918. He re-joined the Anson Battalion, “C” Company, 9th Platoon on the 26th July 1918 and served with this unit until he was reported missing, later presumed killed in action on the 25th August 1918. Harry’s body was exhumed on the 25th August 1920 for the purpose of reburial in Warlencourt British Cemetery, France.
On Friday November 2nd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – AB KETTLEBY. – HOME ON LEAVE:- We were glad to welcome home Pte. Harry Munns and Pte. Fred Steele of the Royal Marines. Both were looking remarkably well, and their many friends wish them the best of luck. They both rejoined their headquarters on Wednesday of the present week.