HARRIS W.
William Harris
Sapper 266541
96th Light Railway Operating Coy., Royal Engineers
William Harris died on Sunday 30 December 1917, Age 22, and was commemorated at the ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Egypt.
He was the son of Lancelot and Mary Harris, a native of Leek, Staffs. Lancelot Harris Sr. was a Shoeing Smith, and a native of Leek, Staffs. On the 1901 census, the family resided at 2 Magdala Street, Manchester, and must have moved locally sometime after that date.
He was also husband of Sarah Ann Harris (later Haynes), of Halls Yard, Skegby, Mansfield, Notts.
His brother, Lancelot Harris, is also commemorated on the main Sutton War Memorial.
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 Notts Free Press, 25th January 1918 |
Sapper Harris was probably on the RMS Aragon, which was carrying 2,700 troops when they arrived at Alexandra on the 30th December 1917. As no berths were available, the ship was ordered back out of the harbour, and was immediately attacked by the German submarine UC34. After the attack the Aragon sunk, with the loss of 610 lives.
R. M. S. Aragon
From
‘Soldiers who died in the Great War 1914-19 –
Corps of Royal Engineers’
Research by Heather Faulkes
