Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Victor Roy Harris was born on 1 May 1897 at Timaru, the son of William Henry and Mary Ann (née Askew) Harris. He was educated at Timaru Main School and Waimataitai School, transferring there in 1907. On 31 July 1916 at Timaru, Victor Harris was fined 20 shillings and costs on Defence charge – failing to attend the annual camp and weekly parades. Victor Roy Harris attested on 3 September 1917, stating that his father was Harry Harris and he did not know his mother’s name, although she was absolutely dependent on him. He was a farm labourer at Riverton and single. He gave Grey Road, Timaru, as his address, that being the address of his mother, Mrs H. Harris. He was serving with the 2nd South Canterbury Regiment. As of 27 March 1918, V. R. Harris, Grey Road, Timaru, was not on the Strength of Trentham Camp, having been granted Indefinite Leave from 7 November 1917. Victor Harris appeared in the Timaru Magistrates Court in May 1919. In April 1926 Victor Harris of Theodocia Street, was a witness in a Timaru Court hearing. In July following, 28-year-old freezing worker Victor Harris was charged with having committed perjury in relation to the case. Pleading guilty, he was committed for sentence on 4 August. Victor Roy Harris died on 18 august 1958, aged 61 years, and was buried in Sydenham Cemetery. His brother John (Richard John Harris), served in World War One, and another brother, Frederick Harris, also enlisted but did not serve overeas. William Henry Harris was found dead in the Avon in June 1916. He was 64 years old, and had been living by himself in Christchurch, being separated from his wife who lived in Timaru. Mary Ann Harris, who had been a widow at Timaru in 1928, died in September 1929 at her daughter’s residence in Christchurch (“Late of Timaru.”). William and Mary are buried together at Linwood Cemetery.

Sources

NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [30 July 2021]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [30 July 2021]; Timaru Herald, 1 August 1916, 16 May 1919, 16 April 1926, 2 & 10 July 1926, 18 September 1929, Lyttelton Times, 22 June 1916, Press, 22 & 23 June 1916 (Papers Past) [01 August 2021]; Sydenham Cemetery burial record (Christchurch City Council) [30 July 2021]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [30 July 2021]

External Links

• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC branch NZSG

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.