Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Henry J HARRIS, Rowella, West Tamar, Tas.

Military Medal

'On the night 10th/11th August, 1918, during the approach march to LA FLAQUE, an aeroplane bomb fell in the platoon of which Private HARRIS was a member, and caused a number of casualties. private HARRIS rendered very valuable assistance to his platoon Commander in collecting and reorganising the platoon. A few minutes later, the enemy put down a heavy bombardment in response to a S.O.S. signal, as a result of which two of the remaining three N.C.O.s of the platoon became casualties. private HARRIS, with splendid courage and resource, collected and took command of the two sections concerned in addition to his own, and carried on with them until morning. It was largely due to his fine work that the platoon was enabled to preserve its fighting efficiency with the remainder of the Company.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 75
Date: 17 June 1919

There was no evidence of violence, poisoning, or any other cause, that might be termed un-natural in the death of Francis William Harris who died at Launceston on October 31, the Coroner (Mr Butler) said at an inquiry on Harris' death at Launceston yesterday. Percy Frederick Holmes  said Harris came into his pharmacy in Launceston on October 31. He complained of severe pain and asked for something for indigestion. He was given an indigestion mixture and collapsed a few seconds later. Harris was, dead when taken to the Launceston General Hospital. Dr M. W.  Fletcher, medical superintendent of the hospital, said the body showed no signs of violence or poisoning. Death was due possibly, to heart  failure, but he was unable to state a definite cause of death.

FUNERAL
Mr. F. W. Harris
The funeral of Mr. Francis William (Frank) Harris, of Rowella, took place on Wednesday at the Sidmouth Presbyterian Cemetery and was attended by a large and representative gathering. Services at the church and grave side were conducted by Revs. D. Macknight Jones (Presbyterian) and  J. Lutge (Methodist). The returned soldicrs' service was read by Mr. Cotterill.
Chief mourners were Mrs. Harris (wife), Freda (daughter), Messrs. J. and H. Harris (brothers), Mesdames R. Westwood and F. Page (sisters). Carriers were Messrs. D. Williams, K. and R. Bender, S. Kelb, V. and T. Hinds. Pall-bearers were Messrs. E. North. H. Heyward, E. Milner and C.  Clark. A guard-of-honour was formed by returned soldiers from Rowella and surrounding districts. Funeral arraniements were by C. T. Finney and Sons.
Mr. Harris who was aged 52 years, was postmaster at Rowella and mail-carrier for many years. He was keenly interested in district sport and  was for many years an active member of the local Progress and Welfare Association. During the last war, he was a supporter of all war and  patriotic efforts. A member of the 40th Battalion, A.I.F., during World War I, he was awarded the Military Medal.