South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 265880 Ernest HARRIS - 2nd/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in action on Thursday 21st March 1918 aged 38


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Chapelle British Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1st January 1916 ~ Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial
    Stratford Holy Trinity Church 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted Stratford Cemetery Memorial 
German Spring Offensive  Oct/Nov 1914 in Stratford on Avon  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
near Germaine ~ ~
     

Circumstances of Death

Ernest is listed at being killed in action on the 21st March 1918. The 2nd/7th Battalion war diary entries for the period 20th March to 9am on the 22nd March are transcribed below.

Germaine - 20.3.1918: Training as before. Specialist training and Recreational training contiued as before.

Germaine - 21.1.1918: 5am: Orders received for the Battalion, billeted at Germaine, to man battle stations. Battalion stood to.

6am: Orders received for Battalion to move to assembly position at Attilly Huts

7.15am: The battalion commenced the march to Attilly. Strength of Battn. and Officers as Annexum A & B [21 Officers & 556 Other Ranks]

9.15am: Battalion assembled, as Counter Attack Battalion at Attilly Huts. Heavy shelling and gas shelling encountered en route.

Approximate casualties: 2/Lt’s Tosland and Lovejoy wounded and 20 OR.

Shelling of area around Attilly Huts very heavy. Battalion disposed in various trenches.

Heavy mist, still.

11am: Battalion disposed W of St. Quentin Wood as is sketch.  Shelling fairly but few casualties. Instructions issued verbally by 182nd Inf. Bde. to Major Waterworth for counter attack if required.

5.00pm: Arranged with 182nd Inf. Bde for the move of the battalion to M.D.J. Dugouts to avoid casualties from shelling

8.00pm - Battalion in M.D.J.

11.30pm - Lieut Whitfield from 182nd Inf. Bde with verbal instructions re the battalion assembling for counter attack south of Holnon Wood. Explained that the operation was not possible.

Approximate casualties Officers 2 and O.R. 20.

M.J.D. Dugouts - 22.3.1918: 1.50am: Orders from 182nd Infantry Brigade. The Battalion to remain as at present situated.

4.30am: Orders from 182nd Infantry Brigade that in the event of enemy attack developing suddenly, counter attack by battalion to be launched at CO's decision.

7am: Posts pushed out for local protection, routes for counter attack assembly reconnoitred. Heavy mist.

9am: Verbal instructions received from 182nd Infantry Brigade to move Battalion to position of assembly in Holnon Wood.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1880 in Alcester  
   
Parents Names Abode
Job and Emma Harris Alcester
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
Isabella Harris nee Sutton Sarah Helen; Emma; Beryl and Ruth May            
Jan Qtr 1914 in Evesham  
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1881 - The Moors, Alcester 1891 - Scholar
1891 - The Moors, Alcester 1901 - Not found
1901 - Not found 1911 - Labourer & Horse Driver
1911 - 9 Mulberry Street, Stratford on Avon  
1915 - 9 Mulberry Street, Stratford on Avon  
   
  • In the 1911 census Ernest's furture wife, Isabella Sutton is listed as his housekeeper.