1159, Private William HARRIS — 8th Hussars

Birth & early life

Born at Maidstone, Kent.

1841 Census

The 1841 Census for the parish of Harrietsham shows Thomas Harris, living at Greenway Fostal with his wife Elizabeth and their five sons. William, at the age of 10, is the youngest.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Maidstone on the 20th of January 1851.

Age: 21.

Height: 5' 7".

Trade: Labourer.

Service

Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H.T. "Echunga" on the 15th of May 1854.

From Private to Corporal: 8th of November 1854.

In view of a memorial stone erected in Harrietsham churchyard, Kent, he may possibly have ridden in the Charge. (See below.)

Sent to Scutari on the 3rd of February and died there on the 23rd of February 1855.

He left no will and had 3/8d. in his "credits."

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol.

Commemorations

Death & burial

According to a memorial stone erected in Harrietsham churchyard, Kent, William Harris died of cholera at Scutari, February 24th 1855, aged 24.

The stone was for many years lost.

1990: A search of the churchyard shows no trace of the stone and enquiry of the present incumbent shows from his speaking to his parishioners, that no-one now living in the parish can ever recall having seen it.

1993: In 1993 a Mr Frank Wood enquired of the Regimental H.Q. for any details of William Harris, believing his wife was a great-great-niece. He also said that he had been told the memorial stone to Harris was still in existence, a vertical plinth with casket above, and where it was sited. On being sent a copy of this record, it would appear that all he knew was what he had been told by a local historian, but said he would search for the stone when next in the area.

Later note [pre-2002]: Thanks to that [unnamed] local historian, members of his greater family have now found and photographed the memorial. The latter is now indistinct, due to weathering, but his name can still be read. It is hoped that in the near future an effort will be made either to re-cut the original lettering or to affix a bronze plaque with raised lettering, and the original known inscription, to it.

(See photographs of the memorial itself and part of the inscription, in the 8th Hussar file.)

[PB, February 2017: I have so far found only a negative of the whole memorial (as below).]

Memorial stone to William Harris, Harrietsham churchyard, Kent. [Photograph EJB? pre-2002.]

(Click on image to enlarge)

The stone was for many years lost, but the inscription is now known to have read as follows:

"Erected to the memory of

William Harris, the affectionate and dutiful son

of Elizabeth and Thomas Harris of this parish.

He was a Corporal in the 8th Hussars and fought in

the celebrated Charge at Balaclava and afterwards

at the battle of Inkerman, from both of which he

escaped unhurt and died of cholera at Scutari, Feb.

24th 1855, in the 25th year of his age.

Only the action of the just and brave shall

swell and blossom in the grave.

Deep in a far distant land he lies. The youthful

and the brave.

Without a stone to speak his worth, or mark the

soldier's grave."

His father (and perhaps William Harris too) possibly worked, or had worked, for the family of Fiennes Wykham Martin, as both are mentioned in a book entitled "Letters written from the Crimea" published by a member of his greater family in 1868:

"2nd Division Camp, Sebastopol [no date, but received in England 18th December 1854].

I left the Light Brigade the morning I got your letter, so had no opportunity of asking about the man Harris in the 8th Hussars, but I will as soon as possible."

"Camp Sebastopol, January 9th 1855.

Also tell Harris that his son was made a Corporal when I enquired about him, so I conclude he is doing well. I did not see him at the time."

"Scutari Barracks, April 19th 1855.

I cannot now enquire whether Harris is dead or not, but I saw in the paper that one corporal was dead, and I conclude it was him. The first time I go round the hospital I will try and find out, although I am afraid there is not much chance, as they do not seem to know who they have got in the wards."

Scutari Barracks, March 8th 1855.

"I have made enquiries about Harris, but his regiment is not here, so that I may not succeed in case they do not answer; the easiest way is to write to the Adjutant explaining the case, and he will send back the man's number, or get the medal for you as he ought to have done before.

Scutari Barracks, March 17th 1855.

"I have succeeded in getting Corporal Harris's number from a Sergeant of the 8th Hussars, who is employed on the Staff; it is 1259 [sic]; he died on the 23rd of February 1855; but at the same time I do not think the father will be able to get the medal yet as they have not nearly distributed them to the living claimants."