Bernard Harris was born in the December quarter of 1912 (Flintshire (Mold) HAW/15A/84), the son of Francis Edward & Jessie Harris, who had married in on the 5th of August 1907 in Llangyfelach, Glamorganshire. Jessie’s maiden name was Jessie Ponsford Cadogan (1882–1918), (Thanks to stephenleason50 – Ancestry).
Their marriage on the 5th of August 1907 in the Parish Church at Llangfelach tells us that Francis Edward Harris, 25, Bachelor, Mill-man, Brooklea Villas, Mancott, Hawarden, his father was Edward Harris, an Engine-Driver & Jessie Cadogan, 24, spinster, Clyndu, Morrison, her father, George Cadogan, was deceased and had been a Carpenter.
The 1911 census tells us that Francis Edward, 29, & Jessie, 28, both born Llangafelach, Glamorganshire, had been married for 3 years and 2 children had been born, both still living, also they were living at New Road, Queensferry. Their children were Leonard, 2 and Ethel, 1, both born in Hawarden. Francis Edward Harris was working in the Furnacing in Welsh Mills (Gavanized Sheet Works), probably John Summers & Sons, Hawarden Bridge Steel Works.
Sadly, Jessie Ponsford Harris was to die in 1918 (Flintshire (Mold) HAW/11A/58) and Francis Edward Harris was to marry again to Annie Munslow in a Civil Ceremony in 1920 at Hawarden. (Flintshire (Mold) HAW/06/91). So, Bernard was 6 years old when his mother died and 8 years old when his father remarried.
The 1921 census which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, tells us more, the family were now living at 8, Glynne Street, Queensferry. Francis Edward Harris was the head of the household and was now 39 years and 3 months old, he was a Furnaceman at John Summers & Sons Ltd., Hawarden Bridge Steelworks, but was “Out of Work,” probably because of the Miner’s Strike that year. His new wife, Annie Harris was now age 32 years and 11 months old, she had been born in Walsall, Staffordshire and was doing “Home Duties.” The children were, Ethel Harris, age 11 years and 4 months old, Bernard Harris, 8 years, and 6 months old, Mildred Harris, age 6 years and 1 month old and Jonathan Rees Harris age 3 years and 5 months old. All had been born in West Saltney*, Flintshire and were at school, “Whole Time.” It was recorded that their mother was dead. William Edward Harris, again born in West Saltney, was age 7 months old and both his parents were alive.
*West Saltney covered Shotton and Queensferry at that time.
I believe that Annie, his wife may have died in 1939 (Flintshire (Mold) HAW/25A/68), the certificate would have to be purchased to confirm or deny.
From the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Attestation Register, Bernard enlisted for 7 or 5 years on the 20th of February 1931 and his date of birth was given as the 25th of December 1912. I think he was then put on the Territorial Army Reserve on the 16th of June 1938, but also is the note that he was Killed in Action on the 5th of May 1944.
I have no clue to his life after that till the 1939 Register, although Bernard isn’t on that, I suspect he had been recalled. The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939 and gives us dates of birth, shows the family still at 8 Glynne Street, Queensferry. Francis E Harris had been born on the 8th of March 1882, was widowed and still a Furnaceman at the Steelworks. Jonathan R. Harris had been born on the 25th of January 1918 and was a Marker in the Steel Sheet Works. Gaynor J. Harris had been born on 19th of December 1924 and was doing “Unpaid Domestic Duties.” There is one redacted of closed record, I have no idea who this might be.
By the 5th of October 1940, Bernard had enlisted or was conscripted and met and then, Bernard married Doreen Munslow, in St Ethelwold’s Church, Shotton. Bernard Harris, 27 and a Bachelor and a Private in the Army, was living at 8, Glynne Street, Queensferry and his father was Francis Edward Harris, Steelworker. Doreen Munslow was age 20 and a Spinster, her address was 9, Kin-Royd, Wepre Drive, Connah’s Quay, her father was William Munslow, Steelworker. Their witnesses were Jonathan Rees Harris and Anne Williams.
Did Bernard marry a relative of father, Francis Edward Harris’s wife, Annie MUNSLOW, i.e. – Doreen MUNSLOW? Bernard’s father Francis Edward married Annie MUNSLOW in 1920, wonder if they are from the same family, although I haven’t found a connection yet.
Page 68 No 136 5th October 1940 Bernard HARRIS, 27, Bachelor, Private in Army, 8, Glynn St., Queensferry Francis Edward HARRIS, Steel Worker & Doreen MUNSLOW, 20, Spinster, 9, Kin Royd (sic), Wepre Drive, Connah’s Quay, William MUNSLOW, Steelworker. (After Banns)
Witnesses: – Jonathan Rees HARRIS & Annie WILLIAMS.
There are 4 Casualty Lists where Bernard is listed, amongst dozens of men’s names from the RWF’s who are reported” Missing,” (Date not reported). Next one – “Not Missing,“ then, “Previously reported Wounded 23rd April 1944, now reported Wounded and Missing.” Culminating in the last Casualty List stating the “Previously reported Missing 5th May 1944, now reported Killed in Action. “
Looking at the Casualty List of the missing, (Date not Reported) many, many R.W.F. men were missing in that battle described below.
It seems that Bernard was wounded on the 23rd of April 1944, was missing and died on the 5th of May 1944, so must have suffered greatly.
Below – Taken from The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website describing the graveyard and the history of what happened, with also perhaps one of the most iconic passages from WW2 – The Kohima Epitaph: –
The Japanese advance into India was halted at Kohima in April 1944 and Garrison Hill, a long-wooded spur on a high ridge west of the village, was the scene of perhaps the most bitter fighting of the whole Burma campaign when a small Commonwealth force held out against repeated attacks by a Japanese Division. The fiercest hand to hand fighting took place in the garden of the Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow, around the tennis court, but the heaviest casualties on both sides occurred after relieving forces reached the Garrison and the Japanese were driven off the ridge, so re-opening the road to Imphal. KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY lies on the battle ground of Garrison Hill. No trace remains of the bungalow, which was destroyed in the fighting, but white concrete lines mark and preserve permanently the historic tennis court. The cemetery now contains 1,420 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War and 1 non-war burial. At the highest point in the cemetery stands the KOHIMA CREMATION MEMORIAL commemorating 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers whose remains were cremated in accordance with their faith. At the lower end of the cemetery, near the entrance, is a memorial to the 2nd Division. It bears the inscription; – “When you go home Tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, We gave our today.” The cemetery also contains a memorial to the 2nd Battalion, the Dorsetshire Regiment and a number of other regimental memorials have been erected on and near Garrison Hill. The cemetery was designed by Colin St. Claire Oakes.
Francis Edward Harris, Bernard’s father, was to survive till 1961, so he had to bear the burden of the loss of his son.
Probate – HARRIS, Francis Edward of Bryn Gwanwyn (Owanwyn?), 5, Wood Lane, Hawarden, Flintshire, died 6th of August 1961. Probate Chester 10th October to Gaynor Jane HARRIS, Spinster.
Bernard Harriis was well loved, and his name was put forward by his family to be added to the War Memorial to be remembered of ever. He is also remembered on the Hawarden WW2 War Memorial, please click on the link.
