Pte 30173 George Henry Harris MM

 

 

The award of his Military Medal was announced in the London Gazette on 18th June 1917: 

 

 

 

His military medal was also announced in the Liverpool Daily Post on Tuesday 19 June 1917:

 

 

Whilst on leave he married Ann Jones Fenemore on the 12th September 1917 at St Bridget’s Church, Wavertree. He was a 26 year soldier of 160 West Derby Road, father Benjamin deceased, whilst Ann was a 22 year old book-keeper of 48 Woodcroft Road, father Joseph a freight clerk.  

 

Their marriage was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on Wednesday 19 September 1917: 

 

 

George returned to France and at some point he was transferred to B Coy, 17th Battn. KLR. 

 

On the 22nd March 1918, during the German Spring Offensive, he was “wounded and missing” (from British Red Cross enquiry record). This may have been slightly incorrect as he was back at the front with the 1st Battn. KLR and was killed in action near Villiers between the 27-29th September 1918. 

 

 

 

 

Seven months later he was still listed as Missing in the Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry ) on Tuesday 14 May 1918: 

Missing:

 

 

George now rests at Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery:

 

Flesquieres village was attacked by the 51st (Highland) Division, with tanks, on the 20th November 1917, in the Battle of Cambrai, but held for a time by a German officer with a few men; it was captured on the 21st. It was lost in the later stages of the battle, and retaken on the 27th September 1918, by the 3rd Division.

Flesquieres Hill Cemetery was originally made by the 2nd Division, in 1918, behind a German cemetery ("Flesquieres Soldiers' Cemetery No.2"); but the German graves were removed after the Armistice to FLESQUIERES COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION (which in its turn was removed, with 583 graves, in 1924). Plots III-VIII were created on the site of the German cemetery and in them were reburied 688 British soldiers from the battlefields of Havrincourt, Flesquieres, Marcoing and Masnieres and from a few other burial grounds.

There are now over 900, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over one-third are unidentified and special memorials are erected to five officers and men from the United Kingdom and two from New Zealand, known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of three men of the R.N.D., buried at the end of 1917 in the 63rd Division Cemetery, Marcoing, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.

The cemetery covers an area of 3,797 square metres.

George's death was announced in the Liverpool Echo on Wednesday 30 October 1918: 

 

 

 

 

 

Also in the Liverpool Echo on Friday 01 November 1918: 

 

 

 

George earned his two medals. 

 

His Soldiers Effects, Army pay of £21 7s 7d, £15 War Gratuity and Pension went to widow Ann J., 48 Woodcroft Road. 

 

Probate was granted on 26th March 1919:- 

 

HARRIS George Henry of 48 Woodcroft Road, Wavertree Liverpool Private 1st Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment died on or since 27 September 1918 in France Administration (with Will) Liverpool 26 March to Anne Jones Harris widow. Effects £63 7s 7d. 

 

His wife and family paid tribute to George in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 27 September 1919:

 

HARRIS - In loving memory of my dear husband, George Harris M.M. (late Pals), killed in action, Sept 27, 1918. (My hero). - His loving wife Annie. 

 

Upright and just in all his ways. 

 

Honest and faithful to the end of his days;  

 

Words cannot express my grief and pain,

 

I would give all I possess to have him back again.

 

HARRIS - In memory of our dear son-in-law, George. 

 

(Sadly missed by all at 48 Woodcroft Road.)  

 

Remembrance sweet, so sad to recall,

 

He was loved by us and respected by all.

 

Pa and ma. 

 

His mother died, aged 66, in 1920. 

 

 

On the 1921 Census at Woodcroft Road, widow, Ann, is aged 25 and working as a telephone operator in the Liver Buildings. She is living with her parents and brothers. Ann remarried in 1922 to Alfred Edward Bowen, and on the 1939 Register they are living at 9 Auckland Road, Penny Lane. Ann, date of birth 04th July 1896, Alfred, date of birth 30th January 1898, with her mother Elizabeth Fenemore.

 

Ann died, aged 64, on the 06th June 1960. 

 

Probate was granted on 11th July1960:

 

BOWEN Ann Jones of 51 Heathfield Road Liverpool 15 wife of Alfred Edward Bowen died 6 June 1960 Administration Liverpool 11 July to the said Alfred Edward Bowen retired civil servant. Effects £177 12s 7d.