Corporal George Harris
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not certain. However it seems likely that he was the George Harris born around 1890 in Rathdrum, County Wicklow, one of nine children of groom (later coachman) George Harris and his wife Susan (nee Tuke). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his parents and five siblings in Surrey Street, Belfast, and working as a groom. Records relating to the North Irish Horseman George Harris show him living at nearby Lisburn Avenue soon after.
Harris enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 6 and 16 July 1915 (No.1704). Whether he saw overseas service with the regiment is unclear. If so, he would have embarked for France in 1916 or 1917, and there been posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st or 2nd NIH Regiment.
At some point Harris fell ill, and in October or November 1917 was transferred to the Labour Corps (No.417193), serving with 909 then 934 Companies. In mid-1918 his health improved sufficiently that he was transferred to the newly-formed 17th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment (No.30203), serving in France. A newspaper report from later that year stated that he had been wounded.
Harris was discharged on 24 March 1919.
Image from the Belfast Evening Telegraph kindly provided by Nigel Henderson, Researcher at History Hub Ulster (www.greatwarbelfastclippings.com).