Richard George Harris – Royal Scots Fusiliers, 12th Battalion

Private Richard George Harris – Royal Scots Fusiliers, 12^th Battalion

Early Life

Richard George Harris was born in 1893 at Brynau, Glamorgan, the son of Samuel Harris and Elizabeth Hopkins.

1901 Census

By the time of the 1901 Census, the Harris family were living at Brynny Cottage, Blackpill. Elizabeth Harris, then a widow aged 53 and born in Murton, Glamorgan, was head of the household following the death of Samuel Harris in September 1897. The children present were John (23), employed as a Moulder; James (22) and Thomas (14), both working as General Labourers; and George (8).

1911 Census

The 1911 Census records the family still residing at Brynan Cottage, Blackpill. Elizabeth (63) was living with her sons John (33) and James (32), both employed as General Farm Labourers, while Richard George (18) was working as a Garden Labourer.

Military Service and Death

Richard later enlisted and served as a Private with the 12^th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers during the First World War. The battalion formed part of the 94^th (Yeomanry) Brigade within the 31^st Division, which was engaged in the final stages of the Allied advance during the closing weeks of 1918.

Richard George Harris
Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, France
credit - findagrave

On 1^st November 1918, the date recorded for his death, the 31^st Division was located in Flanders, to the east of Tieghem and near the River Scheldt. On the previous day the brigade had successfully advanced, pushing German forces back behind the river line. During 1^st November, patrols of the division moved forward and found that the enemy had withdrawn. In the afternoon, British troops made contact with advancing French forces near the same sector, after which the division was moved into reserve as the front continued to shift eastward.

It was during this period that the death of Private Richard George Harris occurred. Although the exact circumstances are not recorded, his loss took place amidst the final movements of the campaign, just ten days before the Armistice. He is buried at Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, France, where many who fell in the closing days of the war now rest.