10475 Pte J H Harris also 8952 Pte J Harris

[Totofo]

Hello. 

I was wondering if anyone could give me some information on Pte J H Harris 10475 2nd Btn Welsh Rgt whom died of wounds 24/5/19 battle at Ypres and 8952 Pte J Harris 1st Btn Welsh Rgt. Whom died 08/09/17 at Pascheandale.

Both brothers who fell in the Great War.

 

Thankyou in advance.

Edited 23 January , 2019 by Totofo

[Michelle Young]

Their regiments and as much information as you already have would help for starters. 

 

Michelle 

[Mark1959]

Looks to me as if they are 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/617636/harris,-/

and

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/46987/harries,-james/

So would seem that CWGC has one of their surnames wrong. Parents have same Christian names on those records. Remains to be seen if one was serving under a pseudonym.

Note: one of the Grave Registration forms show 8592 also as Harries. 

MICs both show as Harris

8592 John

10475 James H

[Totofo]

2 hours ago, Michelle Young said:

Their regiments and as much information as you already have would help for starters. 

 

Michelle 

 

2 hours ago, Michelle Young said:

Their regiments and as much information as you already have would help for starters. 

 

Michelle 

Ok. I have just re edited. 

 

Thanks 

[little bob]

John Harris's service number is 8592. Date of death 8th September 1917.

 

Bob

Edited 23 January , 2019 by little bob

[Mark1959]

Soldiers Died in GW list says James Henry resided Neyland (Pembroke), enlisted Pembroke, born Tenby. Died of wounds 24/5/15.

Same source. John born and resided Tenby. Enlisted Pembroke.

John born c1885. James c1884

According to his Effects record James died at number 12 General Hospital which was based at Rouen. Odd therefore he is buried in Boulogne some distance away. So taking that with a pinch of salt. You seem to have their battalions the wrong way round. James is 1st Welsh. His effects went to his sisters. All a bit confusing.

John’s Effects also went to his sisters. 2nd Welsh. Also died of wounds according to SDGW. But there is an entry on the effects Register that looks a bit like carcinoma but cannot be sure (other opinions welcome).

One of these cases where nothing quite fits together properly. 

Edited 23 January , 2019 by Mark1959

[Mark1959]

1914 Star Medal Roll shows John went to France first on 1/9/14 a few weeks after the main body of the 2nd Welsh. Also indicates he died of cancer. Other Roll adds nothing. No indication he served with any other unit.

James landed with main body of 1st Welsh on 18/1/15 so only survived just over 3 months. Seems all his overseas service was with that unit. Worth reading the Battalion War Diary for the 3 months. 

[ss002d6252]

1 hour ago, Mark1959 said:

John’s Effects also went to his sisters. 2nd Welsh. Also died of wounds according to SDGW. But there is an entry on the effects Register that looks a bit like carcinoma but cannot be sure (other opinions welcome). 



Seems to read that way to me - would also fit in with the medal card showing 'dead' rather than KIA etc but would not fit with SDGW.

Craig

Edited 23 January , 2019 by ss002d6252

[Mark1959]

Craig,

1914 Roll says died of cancer so seems to be confirmed.

Struggling to find census records - possible they used Harries or Harris.

Neither man seems to have surviving service papers

Mark

edit

Surname confusion seems to extend to official Marriage records. Jacob, the father is entered twice as Harris and Harries for his 1879 marriage to Maria Thomas. I can see what appears to be them in the 1881 census as Harries- he is a butcher. Just him and Maria. 

A possible 1891 Tenby record with a Maria and Margaret Jane 10, John 9, James 6 etc. No Jacob.

A Mrs MJ Davies of Tenby is on the headstone record for John on CWGC. Margaret J Davies is one of the sisters on John’s Effects. Margaret Jane on James’ Effects. 

Edited 23 January , 2019 by Mark1959

[little bob]

1911 Census. Just to add to the confusion. James Harris Pte. "F" Coy 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment. Huts and Llanion Barracks Pembroke Dock.

 

Bob

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

16 hours ago, Totofo said:

Pte J H Harris 10475 2nd Btn Welsh Rgt whom died of wounds 24/5/19 battle at Ypres

24/05/1915

 

2 hours ago, ss002d6252 said:

Register that looks a bit like carcinoma

Can you post the image Craig?

[Mark1959]

1914 Roll says died of cancer. Odd he should still be overseas. On tablet so cannot Post image of effects easily. 

[ss002d6252]

1 hour ago, Dai Bach y Sowldiwr said:

24/05/1915

 

Can you post the image Craig?

 

3 minutes ago, Mark1959 said:

1914 Roll says died of cancer. Odd he should still be overseas. On tablet so cannot Post image of effects easily. 

 

Craig

[Totofo]

2 hours ago, little bob said:

1911 Census. Just to add to the confusion. James Harris Pte. "F" Coy 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment. Huts and Llanion Barracks Pembroke Dock.

 

Bob

Both of them were from Tenby so this is feasible. 

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

Ta Craig,

Yes that's Carcinoma.

Doesn't say what of though unfortunately.

32 or 33 was young even in those days.

[Scalyback]

47 minutes ago, Dai Bach y Sowldiwr said:

Ta Craig,

Yes that's Carcinoma.

Doesn't say what of though unfortunately.

32 or 33 was young even in those days.

 

Testicular? Fits the age range and can be hidden. 

 

Harries is a more common spelling than Harris in West Wales than South Wales and can lead to both spellings being used. 

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

2 minutes ago, Scalyback said:

 

Testicular? Fits the age range and can be hidden.

Yes that's one possibility.

[jay dubaya]

I've got a L/Cpl 6902 Henry James Harris, 2nd Bn. Welsh Rgt. at 54 Cambrian Road, Neyland, Pembrokeshire, perhaps a relative?

[Scalyback]

6 hours ago, little bob said:

1911 Census. Just to add to the confusion. James Harris Pte. "F" Coy 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment. Huts and Llanion Barracks Pembroke Dock.

 

Bob

 

2nd Battalion Welsh being the local regiment between 1910 and 1912 based at Pembroke. Local as based there and the actual recruitment area. 

 

EDIT 1912 to Borden, Hampshire then to France in 1914. 

Edited 24 January , 2019 by Scalyback

[Mark1959]

Know it is old school but wouldn’t it bit nice for posters to thank contributors for their time and effort. 

[jay dubaya]

37 minutes ago, Mark1959 said:

Know it is old school but wouldn’t it bit nice for posters to thank contributors for their time and effort. 

 

Since when was it old school?

[HERITAGE PLUS]

I've experienced a distinct increase in the lack of thanks or even a response lately.

[Totofo]

28 minutes ago, HERITAGE PLUS said:

I've experienced a distinct increase in the lack of thanks or even a response lately.

My apologies to everyone. 

I have been working some obscure shifts and only been able to glance in.

I am obviously extremely grateful for the time and effort that the researchers have put in to acquiring the information. 

The family concerned are absolutely over the moon with the information you have given them.

It is a shame that their medals were sold on an auction the day before the family actually knew about them.

Once again thankyou very much 

 

 

Edited 24 January , 2019 by Totofo

[HERITAGE PLUS]

Thanks Totofo - my comments were general not aimed at you 

[Totofo]

2 minutes ago, HERITAGE PLUS said:

Thanks Totofo - my comments were general not aimed at you 

On a personal level if you look through my posts about my own relatives I am always thankful.

Genuinely.

You guys have really helped me in so many ways over the years.