Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Leading Stoker C. J. Harris, Royal Navy

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (K.1503. C. J. Harris, Sto. 2Cl., H.M.S. Philomel.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (K.1503. C. J. Harris, Sto. 1Cl. H.M.S. Philomel.); 1914-15 Star (K.1503, C. J. Harris, Act. L. Sto. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K. 1503 C. J. Harris. L. Sto. R.N.) very fine or better (5) £400-£500

Charles James Harris was born in Limehouse, London on 25 September 1890 and entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 1 October 1908. He served in H.M.S. Philomel from July 1909 to September 1911, in which period he was advanced to Stoker 1st Class and was present in operations off Somaliland and in the Persian Gulf. He subsequently served in cruisers H.M.S. Sappho from October to November 1911, and in H.M.S. Latona from March to August 1912, before joining H.M.S. Grafton in August 1912. He was still serving in this ship at the outbreak of hostilities, at which time she was employed with the 10th Cruiser Squadron in enforcing the naval blockade of Germany. In December 1914, following Grafton’s withdrawal from service, Harris transferred to the Arethusa Class cruiser H.M.S. Inconstant, in which capacity he received promotion to Leading Stoker on 1 May 1916 and was present with the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. Coming ashore to Victory II in April 1917, he left the service in October 1920 upon completion of 12 years’ service.