Thank you to Jane Anthony and Lenka Cathersides for this research and thank you to Gail Ilman (Alma Harris’ Great Granddaughter) for the family photographs and additional family detail.
The date of Alma’s birth is not totally clear as has two different dates according to the records. The 1888 National School Admission Register states that Alma Hubert John Harris was born on the 12th of March 1882 in Abinger, Surrey to labourer David and Ellen (nee Ansell). According to the England & Wales births register Alma was born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 near Dorking, Surrey.
The 1884 National School Admission Register reads that the family lived at Ockham Mill, Surrey.
On 13th of November 1888, Alma was admitted into the St Martin’s Church of England School for Boys in Dorking, he had previously attended Pixham School. At the time of his admission the family lived in Leslie Road, Dorking. Alma left St Martin’s school on 22nd June 1894.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 28 Leslie Road in Dorking. David was working as a nursery labourer and Ellen was at home looking after their children. The household further comprised of Ellen’s son, horse driver Amos and David’s sons, bricklayer’s labourer James and lime worker David.
The 1896 National School Admission Register reads that the family lived in North Street, Redhill, Surrey. The family left Redhill on the 12th of February 1897.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Medina Terrace, Whyteleafe, Surrey. David was now working as a general labourer and Ellen was at home. Most of the children had now left home, but bricklayers Frank and Alma were still living there, along with Mayblossom.
Alma married Annie Elizabeth Porter, on 25th December 1903 at St John’s church in Coulsdon, Surrey. At the time of their marriage Alma lived at 2 Warwick Cottages, Roke Avenue, Kenley, Surrey and was working as a carman (a delivery man using a horse drawn vehicle). Annie lived at Clive Cottages, Roke Avenue, Kenley, Surrey.
Annie was born on 9th November 1885 in Kenley, Surrey to carman George Porter, born about 1857 in Petersfield, Hampshire and Harriett Porter, born about 1854 in Godalming, Surrey. Annie was baptised on 3rd January 1886 at All Saint’s church in Kenley, Surrey. At the time of the baptism the family lived in Kenley and George was working as a carter.
Alma and Annie had six children.
George William Henry was born on 17th June 1904 in Kenley, Surrey. He was baptised on 24th July 1904 at All Saint’s church, Kenley. George attended Croydon Ragged School. The family were living at 100 Lower Road, Kenley, Alma was still working as a carman.
Nellie May was born on 30th November 1905 in Croydon. She was baptised on 20th December 1905 at St Augustine’s church in South Croydon. Nellie attended Croydon Ragged School. The family had moved to 26 Purley Road, Croydon.
Annie “Nancy” Alma Harris was born on 2nd February 1908 in Kenley. She was baptised on 8th March 1908 at St John’s church in Coulsdon. Nancy attended Croydon Ragged School. The family had moved back to Lower Road in Kenley.
Frederick Hubert John Harris was born on 30th April 1910 in Croydon. He was baptised on 24th July 1910 at St Augustine’s church. The family had moved back to Purley Road, this time to No. 7. Frederick attended Croydon Ragged School. Frederick died in 1986.
Lily Rose Harris was born on 4th June 1911 in Croydon. She was baptised on 10th September 1911 at St John’s church. The family had moved again to Clive Cottages, Roke Avenue, Kenley.
Harry Arthur Harris was born on the 27th of September 1913 in Croydon. He died in 1972 in Croydon. Harry was nicknamed Boxer after the horse. Gail Ilman explained “when he was a baby everyone said he had eyes like Boxer.”
At the time of the 1911 census Alma was living in Union Street Croydon, with his wife and four young children, George, Nell, Anne (Nancy) and Fred. Alma was working as a carman for a builder. The family grew to include Lil and Harry. The house had four rooms.
Alma enlisted in Croydon, Surrey into the 2nd Battalion, the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private and his regimental number was G/3974. He disembarked on 27th April 1915 in France.
Gail tells us that Alma took his heavy horse Boxer with him when he left for France.
Alma Harris was killed in action on 16th May 1915 during The Battle of Festubert, France. His body was never found. Gail Ilman thinks that Boxer died alongside Alma.
The Battle of Festubert was a second phase of the recently failed attack on Aubers Ridge. It started with a night attack just before midnight on 15th May 1915. Over next 10 days the British Army made some small advances. More than 16,000 casualties were sustained in the attack.
Alma is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France on panels 4 and 5.
He received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
Alma’s wife Annie received £1, 11s and 3d on 9th November 1915 and a further £3 on 17th July 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Alma’s parents later lived at 40 Little Roke, Kenley. His father John died in 1922 and his mother Ellen died in 1924, both in Croydon.
Alma’s wife Annie remarried Henry Quartermain in 1920 in Croydon. The couple had a daughter Dorcas born in 1922 in Croydon. The 1931 Electoral Register reads that Henry and Annie Elizabeth Quartermain lived at 61, The Village, Stoats Nest, Coulsdon. Annie died in 1966.
This photo was taken at Betty Quartermaine’s wedding. The family (from bride’s left shoulder) is Annie Quartermaine, Fred (not in uniform), then Boxer, then George. Gail Ilman’s mother Elizabeth is standing in front of Fred.
Gail Ilman’s Christening in 1954 with from left to right, Elizabeth May (born 1934), Nan Anne- Alma and Great Nan Annie Elizabeth.
To read more about the history of the Harris Family click here.
| Born | Abinger, Surrey | |
| Son of | David and Ellen Harris | |
| Regiment | 2nd Battalion, the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | G/3974 | |
| Date of Death | 16th May 1915 | |
| Place of Death | Festubert, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 34 | |
| Memorial | Le Touret Memorial, France |
