Arthur Enos Harris

Story:
Arthur Enos Harris was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 30 Aug 1894 and baptised there on 30 Sep 1894 the son of Sydney John Harris and Sarah Ann Harris (nee Doggrell).  He lived his early life at Knap Hill, Motcombe and later at Guests Farm, Motcombe, where his father farmed.   Some time prior to the outbreak of war he had gone to British Columbia, Canada, where he eventually enlisted on 6 Nov 1914 with the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Private (Service No. 77241).  He was sent to France and Flanders during 1915 and joined the 88th Regiment (Victoria Fusiliers).  He received severe wounds to his right arm and right leg from a howitzer gun shell when in battle at Messines, Belgium, on 27 Aug 1915. He was hospitalized in France then sent to various medical facilities in the UK from where he was eventually repatriated back to Canada on 1 Sep 1916. Very comprehensive reports have been found on line. He was subjected to many medical treatments and operations being eventually discharged on 24 Apr 1919 and continued to suffer from slight deafness and problems with his hand and foot.   He would have qualified for the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star but this is not recorded but is is known he received a Class A War Badge (No. 173918) and a Class B War Badge (No. 644756) (these equate to the Silver War Badge issued in the UK).  At some time shortly after he returned to the UK and the 1921 Census shows him living with his brother at Woolfridge Farm, Motcombe, described as a Farmer. He married Kathleen Victoria Courtney Hull in 1928 in Motcombe.  By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved back to Guests Farm, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, now described as a Dairy Farmer.  His death was recorded in Motcombe on 4 Dec 1953 and he was buried at St. Mary's Church, Motcombe.   His brother, Berkeley William Harris, also served for a short period with the Royal Air Force.