Name
Arthur Leslie Francis Harris
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Aircraftman
Royal Air Force
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Although Arthur Harris was recorded in the Leavesden Roll of Honour that was compiled at the end of the Great War, Census records have not been found for him or his family. However, information about this man was recorded in the UK Royal Navy Register of Seamen’s Service, the RAF Airmen Records, and also the Absent Voter Records for Autumn 1918, Spring 1919 and Autumn 1919.
Arthur Harris was born at Abbots Langley on 9th June 1898, and when he joined up with the Royal Navy on 10th July 1916, at the age of 18, he had been employed as a Bank Clerk.
The Royal Navy Registers recorded that Arthur Harris first served with HMS “President II”. HMS “President II” was a shore establishment. On 24th August 1917 he was posted to Peterhead in Scotland. During the Great War Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Langside, a few miles from Peterhead was an airship base set up to protect the Scottish Coast and naval bases along the Firth of Forth. It is possible that Arthur was assigned to the RNAS as on 15th November 1917 he was sent to Port Said in Egypt, and was later recorded serving at a nearby Seaplane Base. On 1st April 1918 Arthur was transferred to the Royal Air Force, which came into being on that day, integrating the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps.
Arthur was listed in the Absent Voter Records for Autumn 1918, Spring 1919 and Autumn 1919. On each occasion he was recorded serving with the RAF, with the rank of Private. His address was given at the St Pancras Schools, Leavesden, Abbots Langley.
Arthur Harris survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly Royal Navy
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
