Pte
John Harris
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 23/11/1887 |
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Place of birth: Saddle Hill, Fairfield, Otago, New Zealand |
General information
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Last known residence: Gordon Road, Mosgiel, Dunedin, New Zealand |
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Profession: Coal carter |
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Religion: Methodist |
Army information
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Country: New Zealand |
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Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 46714 |
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Enlistment date: 11/12/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand |
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Units: — Otago Regiment, 1st Bn., "D" Coy. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 03/12/1917 |
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Place of death: Polderhoek Château, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 30 |
Cemetery
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Hooge Crater Cemetery Plot: 10 Row: B Grave: 1 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
John Harris was the son of Adam and Jane Harris. He was born on 23 November 1887 in Saddle Hill, Otago, New Zealand. John lived in Mosgiel, Dunedin and worked as a coal carter. In December 1916, he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He joined the 1st Battalion of the Otago Regiment (1st Brigade).
John was killed on 3 December 1917 during an attack on Polderhoek Chateau. On 1 December, they moved to lines west of Polderhoek Chateau. On 3 December, all troops were at their assembly point, ready for the attack that started at noon. Polderhoek Chateau and Geluveld were tactically important for the German army. Under the ruins of Polderhoek Chateau there was a shelter for a garrison. Moreover, from that position it was possible to look out on the northern defensive lines of the Allied troops, making Polderhoek Chateau a threat for them. However, the start of the attack did not go smoothly: a lot of the own troops got caught in the Allied barrage, leading to heavy losses. The German barrage that had started just before zero hour also contributed to the destruction. The attacking troops want to escape their own barrage and therefore advanced, after which they also came under fire from German machine guns, further increasing the casualty count. The attacking troops were shelled from positions around Polderhoek Chateau but also from Geluveld. They received help from reinforcing troops, but they too fail to break through. The attack was held up. Throughout the afternoon German troops attempted to cross the swamp of the Reutelbeek, but these attacks could be suppressed each time. There was just enough ammunition left to repel two night attacks. Another attempt to take the posts around the castle and Polderhoek Chateau itself was called off due to the high casualty count. The troops were finally relieved on the night of 4-5 December. For the attack, the Ontago Regiment paid a high price: 45 killed, 160 wounded and 26 missing.
One of those men killed was 30-year-old John Harris. After the war, his body was recovered near Polderhoek Chateau. He was reburied in Hooge Crater Cemetery (plot X, row B, grave 1).
John was killed on 3 December 1917 during an attack on Polderhoek Chateau. On 1 December, they moved to lines west of Polderhoek Chateau. On 3 December, all troops were at their assembly point, ready for the attack that started at noon. Polderhoek Chateau and Geluveld were tactically important for the German army. Under the ruins of Polderhoek Chateau there was a shelter for a garrison. Moreover, from that position it was possible to look out on the northern defensive lines of the Allied troops, making Polderhoek Chateau a threat for them. However, the start of the attack did not go smoothly: a lot of the own troops got caught in the Allied barrage, leading to heavy losses. The German barrage that had started just before zero hour also contributed to the destruction. The attacking troops want to escape their own barrage and therefore advanced, after which they also came under fire from German machine guns, further increasing the casualty count. The attacking troops were shelled from positions around Polderhoek Chateau but also from Geluveld. They received help from reinforcing troops, but they too fail to break through. The attack was held up. Throughout the afternoon German troops attempted to cross the swamp of the Reutelbeek, but these attacks could be suppressed each time. There was just enough ammunition left to repel two night attacks. Another attempt to take the posts around the castle and Polderhoek Chateau itself was called off due to the high casualty count. The troops were finally relieved on the night of 4-5 December. For the attack, the Ontago Regiment paid a high price: 45 killed, 160 wounded and 26 missing.
One of those men killed was 30-year-old John Harris. After the war, his body was recovered near Polderhoek Chateau. He was reburied in Hooge Crater Cemetery (plot X, row B, grave 1).
Sources 5
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Byrne, A.E. Official History of the Otago Regiment, NZEF in the Great War 1914-1918 (Eastbourne: Antony Rowe Ltd., s.d.), 229-243. Sources used |
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Gray, John H. From The Uttermost Ends of The Earth: The New Zealand Division on the Western Front 1916-1918 (Christchurch: Wilson Scott Publishing, 2010), 175-180. Sources used |
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New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives New Zealand, Wellington (ANZ), R16792113). https://www.archives.govt.nz/ Sources used |
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Stewart, H. The New Zealand Division 1916 - 1919: a Popular History based on Official Records (London: Intype London Ltd, 1920), 298-314. Sources used |
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The Great War 1914-1918, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Roll of Honour. (Wellington: W.A.G. Goverment Printer, 1924), 125. Sources used |
More information 5
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/458220 |
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Online Cenotaph (Auckland Museum) https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C6435 |
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The NZEF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=107779 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=f69b7e1e-80aa-4a6e-a2a8-085593c3a81c |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7175942 |