Hubert James John Harries

 The Commonwealth War Grave Commissions commemorates and remembers all servicing personnel however they died.

Hubert James John Harries
St. Pauls

This sad story is about Hubert James John Harries, who died in October 1944.  Hubert was a Reverend and served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Born in 1907, Hubert was the son of James George and Elizabeth Harries nee. Thomas.  James and Elizabeth were married on 23^rd January 1905 at St. James church.

James George Harries and Elizabeth Thomas
marriage certificate
St. James church

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 21 Brynsifi Terrace.  James, 37, was a Publishers District Manager.  Elizabeth was 29, and Hubert was 4 years old.  Also present was Edith Margaret Thomas, 21, Elizabeth’s sister.

1921 Census

A decade later, at the time of the 1921 Census, the family is living at 20 Penmaen Terrace. James, 48, is now Branch Manager for Publisher and Bookseller, The Waverley Book Co. Ltd.  Elizabeth is 28.  Hubert is 14 years old, and he has a younger sister Freda May, 7.  Also present is Martha Jane Thomas, 24, sister of Elizabeth.  Martha is also employed by The Waverley Book Co. Ltd, as a bookkeeper.

Hubert was educated at Exeter College, Oxford University.  There is a memorial to all students who lost their lives during the war.  Hubert obtained a Master of Arts before he became a Clerk in Holy Orders, by the time of 1939 Register was residing at Dolberthog, Irfon Road, Builth Wells, Breconshire.

1939 Register

Herald of Wales

Hubert enlists with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and, by November 1940, is commissioned as a Chaplain.  Whilst on home leave during 1941, Hubert marries Josephine Turnbull Owen the marriage taking place at Crickhowell, Breconshire.  The wedding was reported in the Herald of Wales.

Hubert served as a Chaplain in North Africa, and due to medical grounds returned to Britain and was posted with 108 Operation Training United based at RAF Wymeswold, Lincolnshire.

18^th October 1944 after communion at RAF Wymeswold Hubert shot himself using his service pistol. 

His body was returned to Swansea, where he was buried at St. Pauls.

Herald of Wales

Numerous newspapers either local or national papers, reported his death.  Locally, the Herald of Wales reports Hubert’s death