BORN HULL 02/08/1884. ONLY SON OF JOSIAH HARRIS (1857-1938) & FLORENCE EDITH HANWELL( 1861-1937), AT 126, SUNNY BANK, HYMERS AVENUE, HULL (CWGC ADDRESS). EDUCATED AT HYMERS COLLEGE. HIS FATHER WAS A COMPANY SECRETARY AT GOSSCHALK SOLICITORS, HULL.
HE WORKED AS A CIVIL SERVICE CLERK, AT THE LONDON STATIONARY OFFICE. BOARDED AT 124 BARONS COURT ROAD, WEST KENSINGTON.
HE ENLISTED IN LONDON. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE RIFLES (TERRITORIALS) AS A SERGEANT, 300, IN 1908. PROMOTED TO COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR DURING THE WAR AND LATER COMMISSIONED. SERVED IN “C” COMPANY, THE 2/15TH LONDON TERRITORIAL REGIMENT.
AT VIMY RIDGE IN MAY 1916, HE WAS AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS (MC) FOR BRAVERY. – BANDAGING THE WOUNDED IN NO MANS LAND UNDER CONSTANT FIRE. HE DEVELOPED THE NICK NAME “BULLDOG”. IN ONE STORY A GERMAN BOMB LANDED ON THE PARAPET, AND HE HE REMOVED HIS HELMET TO COVER THE RUM RATION THAT HE WAS SERVING HIS MEN. THE REGIMENTAL HISTORY SAYS THAT HE SAVED THE RUM RATHER THAN HIMSELF.
HE DIED IN PALESTINE, ON 27/12/1917, AGED 33. HE IS BURIED AT JERUSALEM WAR CEMETERY. HIS GRAVE INSCRIPTION, READS, “FAITHFUL SOLDIER AND SERVANT UNTO HIS LIFE’S END”
UNMARRIED. HE LEFT £488 IN HIS WILL TO HIS FATHER, JOSIAH AT THIS PROBATE ADDRESS. HE ALSO LEFT SISTER, GLADYS LUCIEN HARRIS (1886-1984).
HIS NAME IS RECORDED ON HULL’S HYMERS COLLEGE MEMORIAL.
Citation for award of Military Cross, London Gazette, 23/06/1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry. After a counter attack he went out and bandaged wounded men in broad daylight. He moved about under constant machine gun and rifle fire.’ This brave act took place during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 21–22 May 1916.
