Charles Henry Harris (1890)

Born 31 Jan 1890 in Saltley, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Myrtle Annie (Hallard) Harris — married 28 Sep 1914 in Smethwick, Staffordshire, England

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Biography

Charles Henry Harris was born on 31 January 1890 at 51 Mill Lane, Saltley, Birmingham, Warwickshire, the son of Charles Henry Harris, a master baker, and Katherine Harris formerly Jones. The informant of his birth was father C. Harris, of the same address. ^[1]

In the 1891 census Charles and his parents were living with his maternal grandfather John Jones at Hagley, Worcestershire. John Jones was a widower aged 62 and a gardener. Father Chas [sic] Harris was aged 26 and working as a brewer's drayman. Mother Katherine was aged 25 and Charles himself was aged 1 year. ^[2]

In 1901 the Harris family was living at 134 Montague Rd, Smethwick, Staffordshire. Father Charles, aged 37, was then a bricklayer's labourer. Mother Katherine was aged 36. Charles was aged 11. His younger siblings were William aged 9, Edward aged 7, Frank aged 4 and Kathleen aged 1. Also living with them was boarder Mary Bonehill, aged 40. She was a commercial clerk. ^[3]

In 1911 Charles, aged 21, was living with his parents and siblings at 161 Gilbert Rd, Smethwick. He was working as a labourer at an iron foundry. His parents had had three further children named Alfred aged 8, Edith May aged 4 and Nellie aged 1. ^[4]

Charles H Harris married Myrtle A Hallard in 1914 at St. Chad’s Church, Smethwick. ^[5]

Charles Henry Harris attested for short service for the duration of WWI, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve, on 6 June 1916 at Grove Park, Nottinghamshire, Regimental No. M2/188958. Charles was then living at 64 Victory Rd, Beeston, Nottinghamshire and had been working as a chauffeur. He was aged 26 years. His next of kin was his wife Myrtle Annie Harris of the same address. Her address was later amended to 10 Laundry Ave, Smethwick. They had been married on 28 September 1914 at St. Chad’s Church and had no children at that time.
A physical description of Charles states he was 5 feet, 10 ½ inches in height.
Charles was placed in the Army Reserve on 7 June 1916 and then mobilized on 14 June 1916 to the Colour Service. Charles was then posted to ASC [Army Service Corps] on 19 June 1916. He joined the 348 MT Coy ASC [Mechanical Transport] at Larkhill on 19 March 1917 and was appointed acting Corporal on 5 June 1917. Charles was dispersed from 2/17 Southern General Hospital, Birmingham on 28 March 1919 and demobilized on 29 April 1919. His address then was stated as 2 Winson Terrace, Winson St, Birmingham. ^[6]

This couple had one son Charles Arthur Harris, born 1 July 1916 at Nottingham. It appears Myrtle went to stay with her parents at 10 Laundry Rd, Smethwick sometime after his birth.

In the 1920 Birmingham electoral roll Charles and Myrtle were living at 2 Winson Terrace. ^[7]

The 1939 Register, taken on 29 September 1939, has been described as a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War. The Register recorded each person's address, date of birth and occupation.
The family was then living at 97 Alexander Road, Smethwick. Charles, aged 49, was then working as an aircraft fitter and assembler. His date of birth was recorded as 31 January 1890. Myrtle, born 11 June 1891, was aged 48. Son Charles, born 1 July 1916 was aged 23. He was a qualified butcher, working as a manager. ^[8]

Myrtle A Harris died in 1966 aged 73 years. ^[9]

Charles' death has not been positively identified.

Sources

1. ↑ PDF Birth certificate
   https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
   GRO Birth Index
   HARRIS, CHARLES HENRY Mother's maiden name JONES
   GRO Reference: 1890 M Quarter in ASTON Volume 06D Page 374
2. ↑ 1891 census RG12/2346 16 Pg 2
3. ↑ 1901 census RG13/2818 182 Pg 29
4. ↑ 1911 census RG14PN17951 RG78PN1094 RD383 SD4 ED9 SN260
5. ↑ GRO Marriage Index - Sep Qtr 1914/King’s N 6d 150 and
   http://www.westmidlandsbmd.org.uk/marriagesearch.php
   Surname, Forename(s); Year; Church / Register Office; Registers At; Reference
   HALLARD, Myrtle A to HARRIS, Charles H; 1914; Smethwick, St Chad; Sandwell Register Office; 4/3/62
6. ↑ War records can be viewed at Ancestry.com. UK, British Army World War I Pension Records 1914-1920 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
   Original data: The National Archives, WO364; Piece: 1539
7. ↑ Electoral roll can be viewed at Ancestry.com. Midlands, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1965 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
   Original data: Midlands Historical Data; Solihull, West Midlands; Midlands Electoral Rolls 1832-1955
8. ↑ 1939 Register RG101/5258K/006/36 Letter Code: OMDT
9. ↑ GRO Death Index - Myrtle - Mar Qtr 1966/Smethwick 9b 531 -aged 73