Bromley War Memorial

Parents: William Henry & Elizabeth Harris (nee Hern)
Parents' occupation: Coachman/Cartage contractor
Siblings: Reginald William, Daisy Elizabeth, Percy Alfred
Wife: Sarah Emily Bashford
Marriage date: 18-09-1915
Children: Vera Emily May

Census information

1901
Address: 2 Lewes Road
1911
Address: 12 Frances Road, South Ashford, Kent
Occupation: Railway coach painter

Extra details

William was the youngest of William and Elizabeth Harris's four children. William snr died in 1892, to support her family Elizabeth became a cartage contractor. In 1911 William was living in Ashford, Kent working for South Eastern & Chatham Railway as a coach painter.

He married Sarah Emily Bashford at Hayes Parish Church on 18th September 1915, two months before enlisting in the Royal West Kents on 27th November. William's daughter was born on 25th July 1916, after he had embarked for France.

William had enlisted in the newly formed 11th Battalion, he completed his training at Aldershot before embarking for France from Southampton on 2nd May 1916. He arrived in Havre on 3rd May. After 3 weeks of further training around Moolenacker the Division relieved the 9th Battalion in trenches between Armentieres and Ploegsteert. There were no outstanding incidents at this time but many minor skirmishes which stood them in good stead for when they joined the Battle of the Somme, which they did in September at Flers. It was whilst trying to take the ridge overlooking Ligny-Thilloy and La Barque that William lost his life. As soon as the troops left the trenches there was enfiladed machine gun fire from both flanks which resulted in a standstill after only 100 yards. A man from William's regiment had seen him wounded in the legs and after bandaging him up laid him by the side, he was not seen again.

Is there information missing here? If you can help, please email contact@bromleywarmemorial.org.uk.