Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Algernon John Harris, was the youngest of 9 children of whom only 8 survived. His father George Harris, born December 7th 1848, in Sherwell, near Barnstable in Devon, baptised December 25th, was employed at the age of 12-years as one of 4 farm servants employed by 35-year-old John Harris and his mother Elizabeth, on their 20 acre holding at Pilton, near Barnstable, it is unclear if John Harris was a relative. Ten years later he was one of two lodgers in the home of Frederick Geary and his wife Martha at Higher Winsford, Bideford, Devon, all three working as gardeners.
George was married in the district of Bromley, Kent, in 1879 to Emma Wescott also a native of Devon, where she was born at Heanton, Punchardon, in circa 1851. By the time their daughter Blanche May was born in 1880 they had settled at Widecombe, Bath, in Somerset. George was employed as a gardener/domestic servant at Crowe Hall, Widecombe, they were living at Gothic Halls Cottage which stood about 180 metres south-east of the Hall. Within a year of their daughter Edith Rose being born in 1882 they had transferred to the north east settling in Alnwick, Northumberland, birthplace of Gertrude Emma in 1883, Albert Wescott 1884, Florence Annie 1886, Christina May 1887, Amy Jane 1889 and Sydney George in 1890 who sadly died in 1892 aged 2 years. Algernon John Harris was born in 1891 whilst they were living at Castle Gardens, Alnwick, near Bondgate Street, where his father was one of several gardeners living next door to each other, Herbert Noble at Castle Gardens Butlery and Joseph Pollard at Castle Gardens Lodge.
Emma Harris nee Wescott died, December 24th 1894, at Redland, Bristol, widower George after her death, moved to Westerhope, Northumberland and by 1911, had taken into his home at Pilton Gardens, unmarried sister-in-law, Maria Wescott, to assist him and his 5 adult children, all of whom with the exception of Rosa, who assisted her aunt, were employed by him in the family business of market gardening. Albert (27), Algernon (19) are listed as assistant market gardeners to their father, daughters Christina (24) and Amy (22) as glass house assistants.
Algernon John Harris did not enlist when war was declared, however, he volunteered December 5th 1915, initially posted to Army Reserve B until June 8th 1916 when he was mobilised and sent to the Royal Garrison Artillery Depot where he was trained and assigned as Gunner 94450.
He departed to the Western Front as part of the British Expeditionary Force, September 22nd 1916 landing in France where he was posted to the 21st Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery, equipped with heavy howitzers, firing large calibre high explosive shells, most often used in destroying or disabling enemy artillery, ammunition dumps, stores, roads and railways behind the enemy line.
The Battle of Passchendaele raged in Belgium, July 31st-November 10th 1917. The area around the village of Boesinghe, now Boezige, faced the German front line across the Yser canal. The 21st Siege Battery R.G.A. as part of the advance of artillery moved to the northern sector of the Ypres salient in the autumn of 1917.
Gunner 94450 Algernon John Harrison was killed in action, September 20th 1917, brought into Bard Cottage Cemetery close to the nearby Dressing Station on the Yser Canal and interred, grave IV. H. 22. He was 26 years of age and single.
His father George received all monies due to him from the Army, his son’s personal effects, forwarded February 2nd 1918 were sent to him c/o Thomas Stuart Esq., 3, Eldon Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, consisting of; disc, letters, photos, 3 coins, purse, shaving brush, razor strap, pair scissors, nail brush, safety razor and blades, soap tin, postcards, French reference book, “1 Black Cat,” leather wallet, note book, as were Gunner Harris’s awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His father commissioned at a cost of 4 shillings 11 pence an additional inscription to be added to his son’s military headstone, it reads, “Hope God Is Merciful.”
Algernon’s sole surviving brother Arthur Wescott Harris was also eligible to serve during WW1, however, no record has been found.
George Harris in 1939 was living at Newburn, Northumberland his business now listed as Pilton Nurseries. His daughters Christiana May and Amy Jane, still unmarried, were living with him as market gardener and housekeeper/business assistant.
George Harris of Pilton Nurseries, Westerhope, died April 29th 1940, probate July 31st to Kenneth Spoor chartered accountant and Arthur Lionel Taylor solicitors clerk. Effects £3351 9 shillings 10 pence.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Algernon John Harris is remembered at Westerhope on W77.01 and at Whorlton on W53.01
