Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War ‘Mine Clearance and logistics’ O.B.E. group of twelve awarded to Lieutenant Colonel G. W. Harris, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E., (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; British War and Victory Medals (267697 Dvr. G. W. Harris. R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (2307026 W.O. Cl. 1. G. W. Harris. R. Signals.); Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Const. George W. Harris) contact marks to BWM, otherwise very fine and better (12) £300-£400

O.B.E. London Gazette 24 January 1946.

The original recommendation states: ‘Lieutenant-Colonel Harris, since he first went abroad in July 1941 has been occupied with Royal Engineer Works Services and been under command of numerous headquarters but always for comparatively short periods. The following is a summary of his service, since June 1944:
June to July 1944: CRE half of Naples Area.
August 1944: CRE on roads under 5 Army.
September 1944 to January 1945: CRE Florence under 5 Army, where he was operating immediately behind the forward troops mainly occupied with water supply and a heavy mine clearance commitment.
January to April 1945: CRE Sierra.
April 1945: CRE 9 L of C Sub Area in NW European Theatre.
While he has been my CRE he has carried out three heavy accommodation commitments in an exceptionally short time and with excellent results. He has done this only by making the best use of Belgian engineers and Prisoner of War labour as Royal Engineers personnel were in short supply. His branch runs in an exceptionally smooth manner. He accepts inevitable changes of plan without fuss or any apparent dislocation of his organisation. He blends complete co-operation with an ability to ensure that Royal Engineer services are not wastefully used. The success of the Royal Engineer Works Service is due to this officer’s good organising ability, his ceaseless devotion to duty and to his quiet, strong, cheerful character which is an inspiration to all under his command or with whom he comes in contact.’

George W. Harris initially served as Driver in the Royal Engineers during the Great War. Appointed Temporary Lieutenant Colonel during the Second War, he was decorated for his service with No. 73 CRE (Works Service), Royal Engineers, his home recorded at that time as Farnham. Remaining a member of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers, Harris was discharged on 11 May 1955 upon exceeding the age limit of liability to recall.

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