Pte
Edward Harris
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1897 |
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Place of birth: Leominster, Herefordshire, England, United Kingdom |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 203617 |
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Units: — Gloucestershire Regiment, 1/5th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Wallemolen, Passendale, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 20 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 73 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Edward Harris, a 20-year-old from Leominster in Herefordshire, was killed on the 4th of October 1917. At the time he served in the 1/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, part of the 145th Brigade, of the 48th (South Midland) Division.
On the fateful day, Edward’s Battalion took part in the Battle of Broodseinde, a phase in the Battle of Passchendaele. The aim of the push was to establish positions on the Broodseinde Ridge. In the morning the Battalion moved in reserve, behind the 143rd Brigade, who would advance on the hamlet of Wallemolen, between Passchendaele and Poelcappelle.
In the afternoon the Battalion moved up in closer support at Arbre. At 3.30 p.m. they received orders to attack Adler Farm, Inch Houses and Vacher farm. After having received their objectives, “B”, “C” and “D” Companies took up positions just south of Winchester Farm, while “A” Company remained in reserve at Albatross Farm.
The attack started at 5. p.m., but because the barrage was laid too far ahead and because of the heavy rain, the men only advanced some 200 yards. The 1/5th Gloucesters dug in, in front of Vacher and Adler Farms.
The 1/5th Gloucester Regiment suffered 131 casualties on the 4th of October. Two officers were killed, four were wounded and 125 other ranks were either killed, wounded or went missing. Edward Harris, just 20-years-old, was killed during the attack on Wallemolen. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
On the fateful day, Edward’s Battalion took part in the Battle of Broodseinde, a phase in the Battle of Passchendaele. The aim of the push was to establish positions on the Broodseinde Ridge. In the morning the Battalion moved in reserve, behind the 143rd Brigade, who would advance on the hamlet of Wallemolen, between Passchendaele and Poelcappelle.
In the afternoon the Battalion moved up in closer support at Arbre. At 3.30 p.m. they received orders to attack Adler Farm, Inch Houses and Vacher farm. After having received their objectives, “B”, “C” and “D” Companies took up positions just south of Winchester Farm, while “A” Company remained in reserve at Albatross Farm.
The attack started at 5. p.m., but because the barrage was laid too far ahead and because of the heavy rain, the men only advanced some 200 yards. The 1/5th Gloucesters dug in, in front of Vacher and Adler Farms.
The 1/5th Gloucester Regiment suffered 131 casualties on the 4th of October. Two officers were killed, four were wounded and 125 other ranks were either killed, wounded or went missing. Edward Harris, just 20-years-old, was killed during the attack on Wallemolen. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Sources 6
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Ancestry https://ancestry.co.uk Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/838598/harris,-edward/ Sources used |
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Littlewood, P.R., “Gallantry Awards to the Gloucestershire Regiment 1914-1918”, London, Spink, 2005, pg. 60. Sources used |
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Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/48th-south-midland-division/ Sources used |
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McCarthy C., "The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", London, Unicorn Publishing Group, 2018, pg. 112-114. Sources used |
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War Diary http://www.nmarchive.com/ Sources used |