Ernest is listed as dying on 7 Jul 1915 from wounds received on 6 Jul 1917. The very brief war diary entry details him by name along with Joseph Hawtin. The diary is transcribed in full below as is a report in the Stratford on Avon Herald on 16 Jul 1915 which carries a better account than the war diary:
Stratford Herald Article
TWO ALCESTER MEN KILLED - News has been received at Alcester that Riflemen Ernest Harris and Joseph Hawtin, both of the 8th battalion kings royal rifles have been killed in France. Both men lived at Alcester and volunteered soon after the beginning of the war. Rifleman Ernest Harris was a son of Mrs. Harris of Malt Mill Lane and before joining the army was employed by Mr. T. W. AVERILL, rope and twine manufacturer of Alcester, while Rifleman Joseph Hawtin who was engaged as a hook maker at Redditch was the only son of Mr. J. Hawtin of Bleachfield Street.
Writing to Mrs. Harris the captain says:- it is with the greatest regret that I have to write to you and inform you that your son Rifleman Harris was killed in action last night. He was badly wounded by a shell which exploded close to him and died without recovering consciousness except for a short time. I do not think he felt any pain after he was hit. The writer adds that he hopes that it will be a consolation to Mrs Harris to know that her son died bravely doing his duty for his King and country. He was buried by the chaplain at the hospital to which he was taken. He was a good Rifleman and he had no fault to find with him and deeply regretted his loss.
