2089473 Corporal Arthur HARRIS, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers: 31/08/1944

A document has recently surfaced from the archives of the town hall at Saussay-La-Campagne concerning the death of a British soldier.

According to the records he died in an ambulance in a field just outside of the village of Saussay-La-Campagne on August 31st. No one knows how he died. It could be the result of wounds that he sustained previously. Can anyone help me find out what happened to this poor guy and possibly even help me find relatives.

I want to try and find out as much as I can about this man.

 

HARRIS, ARTHUR
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 2089473
Date of Death: 31/08/1944
Age: 23
Regiment/Service: Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
Grave Reference: XXVIII. G. 11.
Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Walter and Jessie Harris, of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

Per Geoff's search engine...

 

Arthur Harris was likely serving with, either:

1. What used to be the 4th Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, e.g.

• 1st Independent Machine Gun Company assigned to the Guards Armoured Division
• 2nd Independent Machine Gun Company assigned to the 11th Armoured Division
• 3rd Independent Machine Gun Company assigned to the 7th Armoured Division

2. 7th Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (Machine Gun Battalion), 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division, or

3. 8th Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (designated 3rd Recce Regiment), 3rd Infantry Division.

As he is buried at Bayeaux, the latter is unlikely but not impossible.

I have the Regiments history and will see what I can further discern when home tonight!

Best,

Steve.

 

Arthur Harris in the UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
Name: Arthur Harris
Given Initials: A
Rank: Corporal
Death Date: 31 Aug 1944
Number: 2089473
Birth Place: Northamptonshire
Residence: Northamptonshire
Regiment at Enlistment: Royal Engineers
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45
Regiment at Death: Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
Branch at Death: Infantry

TD

 

Owen, according to the official documents it was in Saussay-La-Campagne his death. Do we know the ause of injury and what injuries were sustained? Where would we find the cause of death? I wonder if it was something like heart attack due to injuries.

 

The regimental history 'The History of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in the Second World War' (Barclay), Page 165, states that the 2nd Independent MGC was:

"...moving via Ecouche and Gace crossed the Rive Seine at Chamenard on the 28th. Amiens was reached on 1st September and Antwerp on the 6th. There had been no serious opposition during the advance... Nevertheless, there had been a few sharp engagements, and it was never safe to relax local protection."

Conty is only 25km from Amiens.

The Company Commander at the time of Arthur's death was Major AH Bonham-Carter; heard that name before... who was killed in action on 11 September 1944. His father was Air-Commodore IM Bonham-Carter, who had also previously served with the [Royal] Northumberland Fusiliers.

Info: Air Commodore Ian Malcolm Bonham Carter, CB OBE RAF b. 31 Jul 1882 London d. 31 Dec 1953 Princess Mary's RAF Hospital, Halton, Buckinghamshire : Queensland Family Trees

Arthur's service number is from the Royal Engineers block of numbers, so he must have had previous service there.

Best,

Steve.

 

I don't understand why they say Conty when he is listed at Saussay La Campagne... Very strange.

Steve, are they linked to Helena Bonham Carter, actress?

*I wonder if he was seriously injured at Conty and died in Saussay whilst receiving medical attention on the way to a field hospital.

 

He is part of the same extended family as Helena Bonham-Carter, Oldleg. But so is Florence Nightingale!

Best,

Steve.

 

Well I never!!

 

Would you Adam and Eve it? (He will be related to them as well!).

 

Hi,

Its a few years down the line re the above, but I am Arthurs great nephew (he was my nans brother). Me and my 3 x brothers are going to visit his grave early 2024 , its been on my bucket list for years. Any info you have re Arthur would be fantastic. Grant Bailey.

 

Good evening Mr Bailey, I live close to where he was killed (about 10kms). If you message your contact details I would be delighted to meet up with you to show where he was killed.

 

That’s so kind of you oldleg, we would be delighted, just nervous of putting my contact details on a forum where all and sundry can see….is there an email address I can send my details please?? Cheers grant

 

Hi oldleg are you on Facebook ????

 

Hi oldleg I am in France and was hoping to maybe visit saussay le champagne to see where Walter fell, tomorrow 12pm roughly Sorry is short notice but didn’t think we would have time to visit . Would you be able to meet if you could call me via WhatsApp on +44 7515281915, many thanks grant

 

Hi Oldleg, so sorry we couldnt meet up on Sunday, time was against us I'm afraid. If you are interested I will get a photo of arthur when I get a chance to route through the family photos. You mentioned a book that he may have appeared in, any luck with this?? Cheers Grant