HARRIS, William Henry

William Harris was the son of Sarah Harris of 32 Brickkiln Street, Quarry Bank, and his wife was Emily of 25 High Street, Cradley. He worked as a druggist and volunteered in December 1915. He joined the Grenadier Guards and was posted to the 2nd Battalion. They were in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, notably in the success at Lesboeufs, and in the Third Battle of Ypres, including the first day of the 31st July. At the end of November 1917 their brigade took part in the Cambrai attack of the 20th, although they were the reserve battalion which took over the new front line won so successfully by the first troops in action. They were again in the front line on November 30th to meet the fierce German counter-attack. Before dawn on the next day they were ordered to counter-attack and take the village of Gouzeaucourt. Their gallant attack secured the village but at considerable cost. Private William Harris was 35 years of age and was killed in action on the 1st December. He is commemorated on the Cambrai, and Cradley Memorials.