Private 39918 Thomas Harris

Killed in Action on Sunday, 5th November 1916, age 20.
Commemorated on Pier and Face 5 A and 6 C of Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

10th Bn., Worcestershire Regiment. 57th Brigade of 19th Division.
Formerly 4893 South Staffordshire Regiment.

Son of Maria Harris, of 7, Wood St., Tipton, Staffs, and the late Thomas Harris.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Unknown.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/789787/

Genealogical Data

1901 Census
1 Court 2 House, Wood Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Alfred Harris (38, General Labourer, born Tipton), his wife Maria (34, born Tipton), and their 5 children: Lizzie (14, born Tipton), Phoebe (10, born Tipton), Emmie (8, born Tipton), Thomas (6, born Tipton), and George (2, born Tipton).

1911 Census
7 Wood Street, Tipton, Staffs.
A (Alfred) Harris (47, Labourer at Blast Furnace, born Tipton), his wife M (Maria) (44, born Tipton), and 3 of their 6 surviving children of 11: T (Thomas) (16, Groom and Horse Driver, born Tipton), G (George) (10, School, born Tipton), and S (Sarah) (4, born Tipton).

Personal Data

After Thomas's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £0/4/5d (4 shillings and 5 pence); this was paid to his mother, Maria, in April 1917. His War Gratuity was £3/0/0d (3 pounds exactly), this was also paid to Maria in October 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Thomas had enlisted in the 12 months prior to his death.

Thomas's mother, Mrs Maria Harris, was awarded a Dependant's Pension of 12/6d (12 shillings and 6 pence) per week, effective from 5th June 1917. Additionally, a Dependant's Pension of 5/0d (5 shillings) per week, effective from 4th April 1917, was awarded to Rosannah Smith of 10 Rainbow Street, Highfields, Coseley. Rosannah, 19 years of age, was described as the "Guardian of illegitimate child", and the address was that of her parents at the 1911 Census.

Action resulting in his death

After their exertions in July 1916 on the Somme, including the capture of La Boisselle, the 10th Worcesters moved north to Flanders which at that time was a quieter area. In early October they began their move back to the Somme battlefield.

After dusk on 23rd October, they took over a sector of the front line with Thiepval to their left and about a mile north of Mouquet Farm, overlooking the Ancre Valley and Grandcourt. This was the area of Stuff and Regina Trenches which had been part of the German defensive scheme on the Thiepval Ridge. Originally an objective for 1st July, they had only been fully captured on 21st October. Between the 23rd and 31st October, the 10th Worcesters had 35 Other Ranks killed in this area, including Tipton man William Allen.

Stacke’s “The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War” says of this time: “Then followed three weeks of misery, in bitter weather and under constant bombardment. Save for one short rest (2nd-4th November in huts at Ovillers) the 10th Worcestershire were either in the front line or in the support trenches throughout that time. Incessant rain defeated the intentions of the British commanders. It was not possible to attack across ground which was little better than a morass, and the fighting slowly died down. The troops suffered terribly, but they held their ground, sniping constantly and patrolling each night.”

The 10th Worcesters spent the 2nd to 4th November in huts near Ovillers either resting or undergoing inspections. After this welcome break, they returned to the Thiepval Spur on 5th November, relieving the 10th Royal Warwicks by 4.30pm in the “Gravel Pit and surrounding trenches”. This was about ¼ mile north-west of Mouquet Farm.

On this day Thomas Harris was killed in action; given that the 10th Worcesters were in reserve trenches, it is likely that his death was due to artillery fire. Thomas has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Daily Post 8th December 1916
RANK AND FILE: MIDLANDS MEN.
The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates:
KILLED.
WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.- Harris, 39918, T., (Tipton).