Name
Arthur Harris
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
20988
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Son of Alfred and Alice (nee FINAL) HARRIS.
His parents married 1890 in the Watford district. Alfred died 1950 in Watford aged 85, and was buried 31 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Alice died 1952 in Watford aged 85, and was buried 7 February, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery. There is a Death announcement for Alice in the Observer dated 9 February 1952.
Arthur was born 29 May 1895 in Watford, and baptised 27 April 1898 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 11 January 1904 to 9 January 1906; then a brief spell at Watford Fields School, before returning to Beechen Grove from 5 March 1906 to 21 May 1909. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, a cabinet maker aged 15 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action during an unsuccessful attack on The Quadrilateral near Morval.
Additional Information
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Arthur in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 14 October 1916. Unfortunately, Arthur’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
