HARRIS, John

John Harris was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Harris of 16 Angel Street, Stourbridge. He volunteered for the Worcesters and joined the 11th Battalion in 26th Division. In November 1915 they arrived in Salonica to assist Greece against attack from Bulgaria. They spent the rest of the war in Macedonia in a long struggle, alongside the French, against the stubborn opposition of the Bulgarians, and far removed from the county where the battalion was raised and where the troops had volunteered for war against Germany. When they landed, the city and port of Salonika were in danger from a Bulgarian advance. However, the attack did not materialise as the Bulgarians put most of their effort into an attack on Serbia. For the next few months the allied force built up its strength and spent the time in training in the area south of Lake Doiran. In April a major attack was launched on the enemy defences, but it was unsuccessful. No further attack was made, but troops in the front line experienced serious privations. Heat and flies prevailed and disease was prevalent. Three Worcesters died in August 1917 and one of these was Private John Harris. He died at a Casualty Clearing Station and was buried in Karasouli Cemetery (C 530). He was 24 years of age and is commemorated at the Methodist Church. His brother, Joseph, was killed in June 1918.