Henry Percy Harris was born in Combpyne, Axminster, Devon in 1893, son of Eli Charles and Amelia Harris. A farm labourer by occupation he worked on the Rousdon Estate, he attested for the Devonshire Regiment in December 1911.
At the outbreak of the Great War he was serving with the 1st Battalion stationed at St Helier, Jersey. The battalion embarked for France and joined the British Expeditionary Force at Le Havre on 22 August 1914. He received a bayonet wound in action on the Ypres Salient 20 June 1915.
Transferring to the 8th (Service) Battalion and promoted to Sergeant he was again wounded in action during the attack on Gheluvelt, during the Third Battle of Ypres, on 26 October 1917, an action for which he was awarded the Military Medal (M.M).The M.M being published in the London Gazette 4 February 1918.
Evacuated to England he died of his wounds on 17 November 1917 aged 24 and is buried in Combpyne (St Mary) Churchyard Extension, Devon.
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