Description
Tibet Medal 1904, bar Gyantse, 6700 Private Frank Alfred George Harris, 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers. The only British Regiment present during the Younghusband Expedition to Tibet.
Frank Harris joined the Army at age 18 in 1898, during his Army Service he took part in the Younghusband Tibet Expedition of 1904, where the Royal Fusiliers were the only British Infantry present, taking part in the storming of the Gyantse Dzong.
After that he retired to the Army Reserve having finished his service, but would be recalled back upon outbreak of World War 1 in August 1914. He was posted out to the front in France with the “Old Contemptibles” landing there on 13th August 1914 taking part in the early battles of the war, becoming twice wounded by Shrapnel in his hip and a Rifle Bullet through the arm.
Officially engraved in running script: “6700 Pte F. Harris. 1st Bn Ryl Fuslrs”
Confirmed on the medal roll for both the medal and Gyantse clasp.
With copy service papers.
Frank Alfred George Harris, was born on 8th September 1880 in Notting Hill, London, Middlesex. Being raised in Kensington.
Barely a week his 18th Birthday, he enlisted at Hounslow on 17th September 1898.
He initially served with the 3rd Battalion 26th October 1898, joining the 1st Battalion on 15th March 1901, with whom he served in the Tibet Expedition.
He saw the following postings:
“Home, 16th September 1898 – 29th November 1898
Malta, 30th November 1898 – 26th August 1899
Burma India, 15th March 1910 – 19th November 1903
India (including Tibet) 20th November 1903 – 27th November 1905
Home, 28th November 1905 – 28th November 1905.
British Expeditionary Force, 13th August 1914 – 18th November 1914
Home, 19th November 1914 – 11th June 1915
Campaigns fought from his papers: “Sikkim – Tibet Expedition 1904, British Expeditionary Force 13/8/14 to 18/11/14”
Wounded: “Shrapnel, Right hip. Rifle Bullet through Arm War Office List 3756”
Following his wounds in action in France, he was invalided back home to England and later discharged on 11th June 1915.
Frank had married Lily Eliza Finch (1886-1952) in Paddington on 11th April 1909.
With her he had 5 Children:
Frank Edward Harris 1910-1991
Edna La-Bassee Harris (later Cole) 1916-1985
Blance Harris 1920-1997
Jack Harris 1920-2003
Joseph Leslie R. Harris 1924-2004.
His daughter Edna appears to have been named “La Bassee” after the Battle he would have fought in during World War 1, the battle which lasted from 10th October 1914 – 2nd November 1914 lines up with the period he was wounded in action.
He is shown on the 1939 Census living in Kensington, where he worked as a Stoker at Lord Roberts Memorial Workshop in Fulham.
The Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops (LRMW) were founded by the Countess of Meath in 1915 to secure employment for disabled soldiers and sailors, especially those who had been left wounded after serving in WW1.
Lord Roberts had throughout his life campaigned for more to be done to support the ex-servicemen, especially those left disabled from their service. He took a keen interest in the Workshops and became one of the trustees. Following his death during 1914 whilst visiting the troops in France, as a memorial to him the workshops were expanded and named after him.
Frank died in Kensington during June 1955.
As a young Soldier in the Army, Frank’s behaviour in the early years was absolutely terrible, being entered into the defaulters books many times.
1. At Malta on 28th May 1899, “Refused to fetch dinner when ordered to do so”, awarded 5 days of Confinement to Barracks.
2. Gibraltar, 15th Feb 1900, “Drunk and incapable whilst in charge of a horse and carriage in Southport Street at 5.15 pm”, given 14 days confinement.
3. Gibraltar, 5th May 1900 “Committing a nuisance in the Barrack Room about 11.30pm”, given 4 days confinement.
4. Gibraltar, 23rd May 1900 “Drunk in Barracks about 9.45pm” for this he was “admonished”.
5. Gibraltar, 8th June 1900, “Committing a nuisance in the Barrack Room.” given 8 days confinement.
6. Gibraltar, 10th October 1900, “Committing a Nuisance in his Bed”, sentenced to 72 Hours of Imprisonment and Hard Labour, and made to pay for the damage.
7. Gibraltar, 20th December 1900, “I) Laughing and Talking in the ranks on 7am Parade. II) Insolence to an NCO”, 2 days confinement.
8. Gibraltar, 29th Jan 1901, “Absent from Company Lecture at 11.45am”, 2 days confinement.
9. Gibraltar, 14th March 1901, “I) Absent from Tattoo till 11.5pm II) DRUNK), Admonished.
10. Mandalay, 31st August 1901, “I) Drunk on commanding Officers Parade at 7am. II) Committing a nuisance in his bed.” Fine 2/6 and confined 8 days to barracks.
11. Mandalay, 23rd Dec 1901, “I) Creating a disturbance in the Barrack Room about 10.30pm. II) Drunk” Fined 5/- and 7 days confinement.
12. Mandalay, 28th March 1902, “I) Refusing to leave the canteen when ordered. II) Violently resisting the escort. III) Drunk”, Fined 5/- and 8 days confinement
13. Mandalay, 7th April 1902, “I) Reporting sick without a cause II) Drunk), fined 7/6 and 3 days confinement.
14. Mandalay, 31st October 1902, “Drunk whilst on Officers Mess Guard”, Fined 2/6 and 168 hours of Imprisonment with Hard Labour.
15. Wellington, 30th April 1903, “I) Drunk in Barracks about 10.30pm II) Using obscene language to an NCO.”
16. Wellington, 7th April 1903, “Drunk in Barracks about 2pm”, Fined 5/- and 7 days confinement.
17. Barrackpore, 7th January 1904, “I) Using obscene language in the Barrackroom. II) Drunk”, fined 7/6 and 7 days confinement.
18. Barrackpore, 23rd January 1904, “Making away with the Coffee Shop Contractor’s account book”, 100 days confinement.
After all that he was sent over to fight in Tibet, and gained no further entries.
