Name
Frederick Harris
1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/08/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
842
Rifle Brigade
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Bishop's Stortford Town Memorial, All Saints Church Memorial, Hockerill, All Saints Church Memorial Board, Hockerill
Pre War
Frederick Harris was born in 1886 in Bishop's Stortford to Malanthain George Harris, a maltster, and Sarah (nee Fuller). Frederick had an older brother George Melanchon (born 1880 died 1881).
On the 1891 census the family of Malanthain George, Sarah Jane, William Thomas (born 1881), Kate (born 1883) and Frederick were living with William & Catherine Harris (M Georges parents) at South Mill, Bishop's Stortford. The extended family had moved to Malting Cottages, Hockerill, Bishop's Stortford by the 1901 Census, Frederick was working as a nurseryman's labourer.
Frederick was an apprentice Painter/signwriter for 3 years before his enlistment.
Frederick attested for the Rifle Brigade on 17 Mar 1905 and was posted to 4th Battalion on 1 Jul 1905 for 9 years with the Colours and 3 years on Reserve, Some of his service was in Cairo, Egypt. He was made Corporal on 6 Feb 1906 and passed for promotion to Sergeant on 31 Mar 1911. Frederick was placed on Reserve early with his consent 8 Dec 1911 and was employed as a waiter in the Officers Mess.
He married Florence Emily Grummitt on 1 Aug 1914 at Stratford and a son Robert Frederick Kitchener was born on 24 Jan 1915 (baptised at St Paul, Stratford, Essex.)
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of the Great War Frederick mobilised from Reserve and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own). This battalion was part of 11 Brigade 4 Division at Colchester and was held back for the defence against invasion but was sent overseas on 23 Aug 1914, landing at Le Havre and rushed to join the Expeditionary Force in time to take part in the Battle of Le Cateau (26 Aug 1914) when the German advance was delayed and the Retreat from Mons could continue.
Frederick was reported Missing and death presumed on 26 Aug 1914, (a number of records report him to have died of wounds while being a Prisoner of War) and his presumed. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on La Ferte-Sous-Jourre Memorial.
Additional Information
His widow Florence received a war gratuity of £6 and pay owing of £2 10s 11d for herself and their child Robert Frederick born 24 January 1915. She also received a pension of 15 shillings a week from 7 February 1916. She later remarried to Arthur Long in 1916.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer, Neil Cooper
