HARRIS, William

William Harris was the son of Benjamin Harris of 6 Mill Street, Stourbridge. He attended Enville Street Council School and at the age of 16 volunteered in 1914 for the Worcester Territorials. He was sent to the 1/7th Battalion and joined them in 1916 when they were ready for the big attack on the Somme. They were in reserve for the first day of the battle on the 1st July and then took over the front line near Serre from the units which had suffered from that devastating attack. On the 19th August they advanced to Skyline Trench overlooking Ovillers and were ordered to attack the next day. The German trenches were reached, but at the expense of heavy casualties. These included Private William Harris. He is commemorated on the Thiepval, Stourbridge, St. Thomas's church and the former Enville Street school Memorials. His brother, Alfred, was killed in January 1917.