Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Thomas Harris, a farm labourer, born in the January quarter of 1858 in Lubenham, Leicestershire and baptised on the 28th August 1859 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham (son of George Harriss, 1813 and Elizabeth Aston, 1813-1902) and his wife Mary Jane Harris (nee Smith, married 1878), a hosiery trade winder, born 1855 in Coventry, Warwickshire. James Albert, a schoolboy was born in the October quarter of 1889 in Lubenham and was baptised on the 25th December 1889 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham, his siblings were, Minnie Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born on the 28th July 1882 and baptised on the 1st October 1882 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham, Sophia, a schoolgirl, born on the 7th November 1884 and baptised on the 1st February 1885 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham and Nellie, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1888 and baptised on the 5th February 1888 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham, all his siblings were born in Lubenham, in April 1891 the family home was at Westgate Lane, Lubenham.
In March 1901 Albert was residing in the family home at The Green, Lubenham, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Selina Ann, a lace weaver, born 1880 and baptised on the 16th May 1880 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham, Ellen Amelia, a lace weaver, born on the 4th December 1880 and baptised on the 13th February 1881 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham, the latter two siblings were both born in Lubenham, Minnie, a lace weaver, Sophia, a lace weaver, Nellie, Joseph, born on the 2nd January 1892 and baptised on the 7th February 1892 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham and George, born on the 18th April 1893 and baptised on the 7th May 1893 in All Saint’s Church, Lubenham, the latter two siblings were both born in Lubenham.
In April 1911 Albert was employed as a corset trade machinist and was residing in the family home at The Green, Lubenham, together with his father, a general labourer roadman, his mother and siblings, Amelia, a lace trade weaver, Sophie, a lace trade weaver, Nellie, a lace trade weaver and Joseph, a lace trade weaver.
FAMILY NOTES: Born and officially registered at birth with the surname spelling of Harriss, both James Albert and his family members also used the spelling of Harris, omitting the second letter “s” from the surname. Albert enlisted using the latter shortened surname spelling and I have chosen to retain the assumed surname spelling in my records. It is also noted that even though registered at birth as James Albert, the second Christian name of Albert was used in most of the documents available in the public domain including when he enlisted into the Regular Army.
Albert enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 9th September 1914 in Market Harborough, and was allotted the regimental service number 14652. He gave his place of birth as Lubenham, Market Harborough, Leicestershire and age as 25 years 9 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as groom.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Market Harborough on the 9th September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Lubenham, Leicestershire, declared age as 25 years 9 months, trade or occupation as groom, that he was 5-feet 5 inches in height, weighed 9 stone 8lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 36 inches, his physical development was described as [illegible], his vision was described as R.E.-V=6. L.E.-V=6. Enlisted at Market Harborough on the 9th September 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 14652.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 25 years 9 months, height 5-feet 5 inches weight 9 stone 8lbs, chest measurement of between 33½ and 36 inches his complexion was described as fair, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, none. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 9th September 1914. Place Market Harborough.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Mary, father Thomas, brother Joseph, sister Sophie, The Green, Lubenham, Market Harborough.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 9/9/14.
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 11/9/14.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 11/9/14.
Rejoined. From Army Reserve. 14/9/14.
Posted. To 9th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 25/9/14.
Deprived. Of 10 days’ pay for absence. 2/11/14.
Embarked. 28/7/15.
Granted. Leave. In the Field. From 27/1/17 – 6/2/17.
Killed in action. In the Field. 1/5/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 9/9/14 – 28/7/15. 323 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 1/5/17. 1 year 277 days.
Total Service. 2 years 235 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 1 May-17 - BOIRY-BECQUERELLE. At 7.00pm the Battalion left BOIRY-BERQUERELLE and moved up into the forward area. “A” Company took over trenches from one Company of the 6th NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT in BROWN LINE from O.31.c.3.6 to O.31.c.80.10. (Reference Map 57.b.54.ED.4.a 1/20000), “B” Company in SUNKEN ROAD O.31.c and N.36.b to “C” Company in trench N.36.b left of SUNKEN ROAD, and “D” Company in strong point N.30.c.
On the 8th April 1919, James’ mother Mrs. Mary Jane Harris of The Green, Lubenham, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of five shillings, commensurate on the 6th November 1918, and payable for life under article 211 (c), the pension was transferred to James’ father, Henry Thomas Harris on the 25th March 1929.
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