1914 Star with 5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914 clasp (8961 PTE. T.J.H. HARRIS. 3/WORC:R.); British War Medal (8961 PTE. T.J.H.HARRIS. WORC. R.); Victory Medal (8961 PTE. T.J.H.HARRIS. WORC.R.); Delhi Durbar Medal 1911 (PTE. T.J.H.HARRIS. WORC.REGT.) - privately engraved. With original General Mobilisation Army Force D 463A form.
8961 Pte. Thomas James Henry Harris was born in Leamington, Warwickshire on 29.4.1897. He enlisted with the Worcestershire Regiment on 2.12.1904 and was with them in India from 1908. As part of the Delhi Durbar of 1911 he was awarded that medal which he had self-engraved. Transferred to the 3rd Bn Worcester Regt when WWI broke out he was recalled and sent to France with effect from 16.8.1914, earning the Mons Star as an early combatant.
As the war entered November 1914 the 3rd Bn were in the region of Ploegsteert Wood where, on the 3rd November, they moved forward into the front line trenches on the eastern edge of the wood to relieve the 1st Hampshires. Here, they remained in water-logged trenches and under constant enemy fire, being overlooked by Messines Ridge to their left. It was here, on the 3rd, that Harris was badly wounded by a gunshot wound to his upper rear left thigh, (buttock).
He was sent home on 20.11.1915 but continued to experience "weakness and instability of left leg, resulting from shrapnel wound in left buttock." After 9 months in hospital it was found that his sciatic nerve had been damaged affecting his ability to walk. He was discharged medically unfit and awarded a Silver War Badge which is not with the group.
According to the 1939 Register he was living at 76 Quarry Road, Birmingham and was a Bench Framer by trade.
He passed away in 1971
