Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albert Harris, a hosiery trade trimmer, born in the 2nd quarter of 1871 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and his wife Eliza Harris (nee Harper, married on the 1st February 1891 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley, Leicestershire), born in the 1st quarter of 1869 in Old Basford, Nottinghamshire. Arthur was born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 in Old Basford, his siblings were, Albert Edward, born in the 1st quarter of 1892 in Hinckley, William, born in the 1st quarter of 1894, in Old Basford, Elizabeth, born in the 3rd quarter of 1898 and Gertrude, born in the 1st quarter of 1901, the latter two siblings were both born in Hinckley, in March 1901 the family home was at 58, Windsor Street, Burbage, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at Fox Yard, Hinckley, together with his father, a hosiery trade mender, his mother, a hosiery trade mender and siblings, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, Gertrude, a schoolgirl, Albert, a hosiery trade worker, William, a hosiery trade worker and Ivy Alice, a schoolgirl, born in the 3rd quarter of 1902 in Hinckley. Arthur’s older brother William was killed in action on the 15th July 1916.
Arthur’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment, being allotted the service number 2/9820, and was posted as a Private to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and it was with this unit that he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 8th December 1914. He was awarded the 1914-15 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On Monday, August, 9, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “From the County.” – Hinckley. – Military Funeral – Lance-Corporal Arthur Harris, a native of the town, was buried at the Cemetery on Saturday, with military honours. The deceased was 19 years of age, and was the youngest son of Mr. Albert Harris, a trimmer, who lives in Turner’s-row, Coventry-road. He joined the 2nd Leicestershire Regiment about two years ago, and shortly after the declaration of war was sent down to Portsmouth, where for some time he was engaged in guarding German prisoners of war. On December 4th last he proceeded to France, where he saw a great deal of fighting up to June 4th, when he received severe injuries to his head. After being at the military hospital at Boulogne, Lance-Corporal Harris was sent to the King George Hospital, London, where it was found necessary to perform another operation on him. The news of his decease was received by his parents on Monday last. Previous to joining the Army the deceased was employed at Messrs. Geary Bros.’ factory at Barwell, having for some years prior been engaged in the evenings selling the “Leicester Daily Mercury.” He was very well known in the town, and was much liked by his numerous customers. Despite the incessant rain, a crowd, which must have numbered several thousands, attended at the cemetery to witness this, the first military funeral which has taken place here for many years. The streets en route were also lined with people. The service both in the church and at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. J. F. Griffiths (vicar of Holy Trinity). The mourners were the father, mother, sisters, and brothers (one of the latter being in khaki). The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, on which reposed the deceased’s cap and belt. The coffin was borne to the grave by some of his regimental companions, whilst a company of the regiment formed a guard, first at the cemetery gates, then around the entrance to the church, and later around the graveside. Three volleys were fired over the grave, and the “Last Post” was sounded by the bugler. The whole scene was a very impressive one.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday August 13th 1915.

Military Funeral at Hinckley

On Saturday afternoon the funeral took place with military honours at Hinckley of Lance-Corp. Arthur Harris, 2nd Leicestershire Regiment, who died on August 1st in King George’s Hospital, London, from wounds received in action. The Rev. J. Griffiths conducted the service, and the coffin, which was enshrouded in the Union Jack, was borne to the grave by eight of the Leicestershire Regiment, a company of the same regiment forming a guard. A party of 14 from the same regiment fired three volleys over the grave and the “Last Post” was sounded by the bugler.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 09/09/2017