Maurice William Sidney Harris
Surname: Harris
Other names: Maurice William Sidney
Locations in this story: Shaftesbury, DorsetSherborne School, Sherborne, DorsetFrance & FlandersSalisbury, WiltshireCalne, Wiltshire
Story: Maurice William Sidney Harris was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 16th October 1897 and baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 17th November 1897, the son of William James Harris, MD, a local Doctor, and Kathleen Emily Harris (née Howe). In 1901 the family was living at 37 Bell Street, Shaftesbury, but by 1911 they had moved to "Avishayes" in Bleke Street. He attended Sherborne School, Sherborne, Dorset, from June 1910 to December 1914.
He enlisted with the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He served in France and Flanders from 29 May 1916 and promoted the 1st Lieutenant on 8 Dec 1916. Whilst serving in France it was announced in May 1918 that he had been awarded the Military Cross. Following his discharge he was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. He returned to the family home at "Avishayes", as evidenced by the 1921 Census and Electoral Rolls, where he took up employment as a Bacon Curer at Harris's of Calne, Wiltshire. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 27th July 1922 at the early age of 24 and he was later buried at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury. A brass plaque in his memory was placed in the Sherborne School Chapel.
Maurice's sister Mary also served in the war, firstly with the Voluntary Aid Detachment and later as a driver with the RAF.
He enlisted with the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He served in France and Flanders from 29 May 1916 and promoted the 1st Lieutenant on 8 Dec 1916. Whilst serving in France it was announced in May 1918 that he had been awarded the Military Cross. Following his discharge he was further awarded the Victory and British War medals. He returned to the family home at "Avishayes", as evidenced by the 1921 Census and Electoral Rolls, where he took up employment as a Bacon Curer at Harris's of Calne, Wiltshire. His death was recorded in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 27th July 1922 at the early age of 24 and he was later buried at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury. A brass plaque in his memory was placed in the Sherborne School Chapel.
Maurice's sister Mary also served in the war, firstly with the Voluntary Aid Detachment and later as a driver with the RAF.
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