HARRIS, Charles Harold

Charles was one of ten children born to George and Charlotte Harris who moved to the Coolatai district about 1895. In 1916 Charles enlisted at Inverell. At the time he was a twenty four year old Grazier at Coolatai.

Charles joined the 36th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement and departed Australia for England on the ship HMAT A72 Beltana in May 1916. After arriving in England he was sick and did not go to France until January 1917. During the Battle of Messines he was wounded in action, then transferred to the Australian Army Veterinary Hospital for four months before being sent back to England in December. A month later Charles sailed for Australia where he was discharged medically unfit in May 1918.

Soon after his return home he married and by 1930 was living in Inverell where he died in 1947.

Private Charles Harris has his name inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll. 

Image: Courtesy IDFHG