Name
Eustace Cecil Harris
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/11/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Able Seaman
475030
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Drake Bn., Royal Navy DIvision
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 2 to 3 and 162 to 162A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Andrew's Church Memorial, Watford, St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Watford, Watford Grammar School Memorial, Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance
Pre War
Son of William John and Florence Louisa (nee WOODBRIDGE) HARRIS of Watford.
His parents married 1889 in the St Pancras, London, district. Florence died 1931 in Watford aged 65, and was buried 2 January 1932 in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; William died 9 January 1932 in Watford aged 69, and was buried 13 January, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Eustace was born 14 October 1895 in Kempston, Beds, and baptised 24 November 1895 at St Stephen’s, Kempston. He attended first Sotheron Road Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 3 February 1902 to 31 July 1907, where he won a Fuller Scholarship to Watford Grammar School from 6 September 1907 to July 1911.
On the 1901 Census, aged 5 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, a schoolboy aged 15, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted 4 August 1914, and served at Antwerp and the Dardanelles.
He was killed in action on Passchendaele Ridge; his mother of Watford was notified.
Additional Information
The published Watford Grammar School Book of Remembrance entry reads:
“HARRIS, EUSTACE CECIL. School period: September, 1907, to July, 1911. Able Seaman, R.N.V.R. Enlisted 4th August, 1914; Antwerp, October, 1914; Dardanelles; killed in action on Passchendaele Ridge, 4th November, 1917.”
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Eustace in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 24 November 1917. Plus a Grammar School In Memoriam in the issue dated 22 December 1917, and In Memoriams in the issues dated 9 November 1918 and 8 November 1919.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
