Andrew Alfred HARRIS DCM, MID

HARRIS, Andrew Alfred

Service Numbers: 615, 14
Enlisted: 20 August 1901, Discharged in Brisbane from prior service in 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry on 17 May 1901. Based on AWM nominal roll, Murray p. 518 he served as Private S.N. 615 under command of Capt. Echlin in 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. Murray p. 506 notes that this was the first of two drafts that occurred on 20 Aug 1901 to follow the original unit to South Africa.
Last Rank: Sergeant
Last Unit: Doyle’s Australian Scouts
Born: Myrtletown, Queensland, Australia, 18 July 1872
Home Town: Pinkenba, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Ganger
Died: Pinkenba, Queensland, Australia, 11 November 1926, aged 54 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Nundah Cemetery, Brisbane
Portion 7, Row 3, Grave 67
Memorials: Pinkenba Boer War Plaque
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Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

Andrew Alfred Harris served twice in the South African (Boer) War, first as a Private S.N. 14 in the 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry and second as a Private S.N. 615 in the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. He later transferred to Capt. Doyle's Scouts (known as Doyle's Scouts) acting as bodyguards for General Walter Kitchener. Doyle's Scouts were mentioned in dispatches by Lord Kitchener in the London Gazette on 29 July 1903 where Harris was noted as holding the rank of Sergeant. (See also Bio under Private Andrew Alfred Harris SN. 14 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry for family details).

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Biography contributed by Claude McKelvey

Andrew Alfred Harris was born 18/07/1872 at Myrtletown to Robert and Clemintina Harris (nee Fenwick). It appears he resided in the Myrtletow/Pinkenba area for the majority of his time. When he enlisted in the South African War in 1900 his residence was noted as Mrytle, Pinkenba. In a Brisbane newspaper article from 10/12/1923 he is listed as the executor of a deceased estate, his residence is at Harris Rd, Pinkenba and his occupation is given as 'ganger'. On his death, newspaper articles indicate his estate was left to his wife Emmaline Ada Harris (nee Crick) who passed away on 17/12/1949. His funeral notice did not make mention of children or of being a father.

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