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HARRIS, Samuel (1889-1931) – Worcestershire Regiment

Pte Samuel Harris (1889-1931) was reported in The Evesham Journal of 3rd October 1914 as having enlisted in the Worcestershire Regt.  No service record has been found.  Probably this was the nephew of Robert and Mary Heritage, living with them in Manor Road in 1911, working as a market gardener’s labourer. He was wounded on 3rd November 1917 (the War Office list recorded that he was born in Highgate). The Badsey Parish Magazine of December 1917 reported that he was not progressing very satisfactorily and the next month that he was still convalescing.  A fuller story appeared in the November 1918 issue as follows:-

“Pte S Harris was discharged from the Army on September 30 as unfit for service. He was sent into hospital at St Omer after being wounded in the foot and, while there, the hospital was bombed by enemy airmen. Two sisters who were attending to him at the time were both killed and, as a result of the terrible injuries he then received, one of his arms is now completely withered. It is to be hoped that, when the time for reckoning comes, neither the criminals responsible for such attacks on hospitals nor those whom they have maimed and crippled for life will be allowed to go unrewarded.”

The Army Service Medal records list a Private of this name in the 1/8 Battalion Worcestershire Regt who had three numbers during his career (1131, 5734 and 242257).  He enlisted early in the War as he was awarded the 1914/15 Star as well as the British War and Victory medals.  In the Journal entry, Harry Halford also enlisted at the same time and joined the 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regt and his number was 1067.   This indicates that this is the correct Samuel Harris.