Charles Noel Harris - Died 21 April 1917
Saturday 21 April 1917
Army Rank: Second Lieutenant Number:Regiment: 123rd Outram’s Rifles attached 125th Napier’s RiflesBirth: 1898Death: 21st April, 1917Age: 19Cause of Death: Killed in action Hereford School Crew 1914 Commemorated at Hereford Cathedral School, Hereford Cathedral, Colwall Church and Basra Memorial.Son of the Rev. Dr. Charles Harris, D.D., and Emily Mary Harris, of Colwall Rectory, Great Malvern, Herefordshire.Past editions of The Herefordian particularly mention his sporting ability: ‘Cricket Character’ C. N. Harris – A useful all-round cricketer. Has had rather bad luck in batting, but is an excellent field, a safe catch, and a good throw-in. Has an uncanny way of always taking one wicket in his first over, but after that he is apt to get erratic.The Herefordian, December 1914 ‘Football Character’C.N. Harris (Goal).- Filled a difficult position with considerable success. Promised exceedingly well, but did not quite live up to that promise. Made several good saves and is very safe with high shots, but correspondingly weak with those along the ground.The Herefordian, April 1913C.N. Harris (Goal). – Scarcely fulfilled last year’s promise between the posts. Must remember that it is impossible to improve without practice. Is quite safe at hard shots, while his great failing is picking the ball up cleanly. Should do well next year.The Herefordian, April 1914Of the forwards C. N. Harris and L. S. Munn are far superior to the rest. C. N. Harris is a powerful shot, but strives too much for the “ideal” shooting position. The Herefordian, December 1914‘Rowing Character’ C. N. Harris (2)- Shows the best blade of the crew, its only defect being a check when half-way through the stroke, when the blade wavers in the water. Has a really good hard beginning to the stroke.The Herefordian, April 1914At school, Harris was also a keen debater. With Harris as Secretary, the Debating Society debated various issues:‘That in the opinion of this House, the present War will be the last European war’ – Saturday, 10th October 1914 and again on 17th October. 8 for, 23 against‘The Hon. Sec., who opposed, treated the House to a very excellent discourse. He was convinced that the natural instincts of men were to fight each other. He stated that am army must be kept up to defend the colonies, and that there would be so much spoil after the war that the Allies probably could not divide it without fighting.’ ‘That German sausage is preferable to boiled beef and carrots.’ (Motion lost) ‘That the only course left to the Kaiser is to commit suicide.’ (Motion carried) ‘That this House is in favour of Conscription’ (Motion carried, 16 to 13)The July, 1917 edition of The Herefordian included his obituary:Sec. Lieut. Charles Noël Harris, Indian Army, has been killed in action in Mesopotamia. He was the elder eon of the Rev. Harris, D.D., Rector of Colwall, and on leaving School passed into Sandhurst, and there gained a prize cadetship. At School he was a good all round athlete, being Captain of Football in 1914, a member of the School crew and Cricket XI. He was not quite twenty.