Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Harris an agricultural labourer, born 1851 in Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Harris (nee Wills, married in the 4th quarter of 1870 in the Billesdon, Leicestershire district), born 1845 in Hurley, Warwickshire. Walter Fred, a schoolboy was born in October 1890 in Houghton on the Hill, and was baptised on the 15th November 1890, he had one sibling, Thomas, an agricultural labourer, born 1885 in Houghton on the Hill, in March 1901 the family home was at Scotland Lane, Houghton on the Hill. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a county council road worker and was residing in the family home at Wire Lane, Houghton on the Hill, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and brother Thomas, now a groom and gardener.
Walter attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 22nd November 1915 in Leicester. He gave his full address as Houghton on the Hill, Nr. Leicester, his age as 25 years and 31 days and his trade or calling as farm labourer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, George Harris of Houghton on the Hill, Nr. Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3½ inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10/23318 on the 20/11/15. Posted to the 10th (Reserve) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 22/11/15. Posted to Rugeley Camp on the 11/12/15. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and embarked from Devonport to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on the 14/5/16. Disembarked in Port Said on the 27/5/16. Admitted to Hospital in Port Said on the 27/5/16. Admitted to hospital in Alexandria. Transferred to India aboard H.T. -?-. Embarked Suez on the 4/8/16. Disembarked in Bombay on the 13/8/16. Joined Depot at Belgaum, India on the 15/8/16. Admitted to hospital in Belgaum suffering from boils on his arms and legs on the 15/9/16. Embarked at Bombay on the 20/1/17. Disembarked in Basra on the 28/1/17. Wounded in action, in the field on the 9/3/17. Admitted to the 32nd British General Hospital at Amara and reported dangerously ill (wounds) on the 14/3/17. Died in the 32nd British General Hospital, Amara from a gunshot wound to the cranium at 2.00pm on the 18/4/17. Walter was awarded the British and Victory medals. The Medical Report records: Wounded 9/3/17. Entrance wound at -?- frontal junction – no exit. X Ray showed rifle bullet in brain on left side – operation undertaken for removal 18/4/17 – chloroform was administered, patient showed signs of heart failure at an early stage of the operation and in spite of artificial respiration together with heart massage – died before the completion of the operation. Post mortem showed abscess of the brain at site of bullet. The following information was provided by Walter’s mother Ann Harris on the 28th August 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-, Rector, Houghton Rectory, Leicestershire on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, George Harris, of Wire Lane, Houghton on the Hill. Mother of soldier, Ann Harris, of Wire Lane, Houghton on the Hill. Full blood brothers of soldier, Joseph Harris, age 49 of Wire Lane, Houghton on the Hill. Herbert Harris, age 40 of Narborough Asylum. Thomas Harris, age 34 serving with the Army of Occupation, Germany. Full blood sisters of soldier, Minnie Cooper, age 42 of Belgrave Gate, Leicester. Gertrude Harris, age 37 serving with the W.A.A.C. with British -?-. Lilian Bamford, age 32 of 33, Weymouth Street, Leicester. Walter’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 9 Mar-17 - Continued marching till daylight (about 6.00am) when the Brigade halted 1000 yards from SHAWA RUINS and came in touch with the Cavalry. The Brigade took up Headquarters in the ruins and about 7.00am the enemy commenced to shell the ruins and the Cavalry Division who were concentrating in the vicinity. The Battalion was ordered to send forward one Company with a Company in support to locate the enemy position, his flanks and if possible his approximate strength. “C” Company went forward with “D” Company in support. “A” and “B” Companies remaining in reserve in artillery formation. During the day enemy shelled occasionally, but our guns when they got into action kept the enemy artillery well in hand. Enemy rifle and machine gun fire was heavy. During the day we pushed slowly forward “A” and “B” Companies later taking part. We had no connection on our right or left flanks. The 51st SIKHS and 56th RIFLES had come round some way on the left to turn the enemy right flank, but we did not get in touch with them during the day. In the afternoon the 53rd SIKHS came up to support our right, and at night continued our right towards the 35th Brigade, with whom they made connection. At dusk we straightened our forward line and consolidated the connection on left. On right 53rd SIKHS in touch with 35th Brigade. The whole Battalion was on the front line from left “A”, “C”, “D” and “B” Companies. In support 1 Company of 125th PUNJABIS. One section from a Machine Gun Company was sent up about midnight. Turkish sniping continued until about 2.00am. Casualties during the day 2nd Lieutenant’s HILTON and PALFREYMAN wounded, NCO’s and men 14 killed, 86 wounded. Very hot during the day.
On the 7th April 1917 the Leicester Mercury published the following under the heading, “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” – “WOUNDED.” – Leicestershire Regiment, Pte. Harris W. F. 23318 (Houghton).
On Friday May 4th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HOUGHTON ON THE HILL” – SOLDIER’S DEATH.- The sad news has been received of the death of Private Frederick Harris, Leicestershire Regiment, from wounds received in action. Mrs George Harris, his widowed mother lives at Houghton on the Hill, and much sympathy is expressed with her in this sorrow, following so soon after the death of her husband. Pte. Harris, who had lived in Houghton all his life, was much respected.
On Friday May 25th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” – Tuesday’s list included:- DIED OF WOUNDS. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Harris, 23318 W. (Houghton on the Hill).