First World War 1914-15 Star Medal Trio – Private George Harris, 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, Royal Engineers
1914-15 Star – 9681 PTE. G. HARRIS. MIDD'X R.
British War Medal – 9681 PTE. G. HARRIS. MIDD'X R.
Victory Medal – 9681 PTE. G. HARRIS. MIDD'X R.
George Harris was born at Stratford, Essex, on 2 October 1879. Census records place him in the East End of London, and by 1911 he was living at 40 Samuel Street, Limehouse, where he was recorded as married and working as a labourer. His place of birth is variously given in later records as Stratford and Limehouse, consistent with movement within the East London district.
By 1921, following the war, Harris was living at 81 Brook Street, Ratcliffe, with his wife Amy Harris and their children, confirming this address as the family home during the latter part of his military service.
Harris initially served with the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, and arrived in France on 9 December 1915 with that unit. At a later stage he was transferred to the Royal Engineers, where he continued active service on the Western Front.
On 12 April 1918, during the German Spring Offensive, Private Harris was captured at Armentières and taken prisoner of war. Casualty records show that he was at first reported killed, before later being officially recorded as wounded and a prisoner of war, information which was received from the German authorities. His name appears in War Office Daily List No. 5698, dated 17 October 1918, which also confirms his entitlement to a Wound Stripe under Army Order 204 of 6 July 1916.
At the time of his capture, Harris gave his next of kin as his wife, Amy Harris, of 81 Brook Street, Ratcliffe, London. Significantly, his wife was unaware that he had been taken prisoner, and records indicate that she applied for a pension believing him to have been killed, reflecting the confusion and delay in notification that frequently accompanied POW cases in 1918.
Harris was subsequently repatriated to the United Kingdom following the end of hostilities. He was discharged from the Army on 5 March 1919, having survived captivity and returned to civilian life with his family in East London.
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