George Harris was born in Brockley, Kent, England, on November 30, 1890, the son of Benjamin Harris (a brickmaker) and Eliza (nee Bates) Harris, both originally of Middlesex, England, living at 278 Bright Street, Sarnia. George’s siblings included Benjamin (born 1880); Matilda (born 1882); Mary Ann (born 1885); John W. (born 1887); Emma E. (born 1889); Ernest (born 1889); and Ellen Rosina (born 1892). In 1911, at the age of 20, George was residing in Lewisham, London, England, employed as timekeeper. Sometime after that, he would move to Sarnia. On March 7, 1914, George would marry Alice (nee Savage, of Lewisham, London, England) Harris, at St. George’s Church in Sarnia. The newlywed couple would reside at 264 Cameron Street, Sarnia. The couple had one child together, a daughter, Renee May, born January 1915. George enlisted September 20, 1915 in Sarnia with the 70th Battalion. At his enlistment, he recorded his occupation as a pumpman, and that he had 154 previous days experience with the West Yorkshire Regiment. He would become a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Quebec Regiment, 73rd Battalion, as a Private. On March 1, 1917, George Harris would lose his life while fighting in the area of Vimy Ridge, France. George Harris would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing, now killed in action. Near Vimy. He would leave behind is wife of less than three years and his two-year old daughter. Twenty-six year old George Harris has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G