George Frederick HARRIS - WW1 records

[Bengal28]

I think he was born in 1893 possibly in West Ham, but cannot trace birth cert. (Done lots of searches!) The 1911 census shows a George Frederick Harris age 17 as a private in 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment (regm no LSR/1252) at a barracks in Chichester.
His son's birth cert in 1918 says he is 'ex-private 3rd Royal Sussex Regiment'.
I contacted West Sussex Records Office who hold the regimental records but they said they couldn't find his records - apparently lots were destroyed in the Blitz.
I am now completely stuck - can anyone help me please?

[KGarrad]

Nearly two-thirds of all the WW1 Service Records were destroyed in a WW2 bombing raid

Have you check for a Medal Index Card?

[rosie99]

Who did he marry and who is named as his father

[JJen]

George Frederick Harris was discharged from Royal Sussex Regiment 26 September 1916.

As previously posted his Service Record could very well be one of those destroyed in WW2.

JJ

[rosie99]

Who did he marry and who is named as his father

Just asking this as you have not found his birth certificate    Where did the 1911 give as his place of birth

[Bengal28]

Thanks for all this.

No, I haven't traced a medal index card.

I believe his father was Samuel Harris and his mother Emma Harris nee Bate, but as I haven't been able to find a birth record I cannot definitely prove this. Birth place was West Ham or Clerkenwell. I got GRO to check a year either side of 1893 with no luck. He was married to Emma Florence Savage in Dec 1911.

Where did you find that he was discharged from Royal Sussex Regiment 26 September 1916? Would  that mean he was injured as he was discharged before the end of the war?

I am very grateful for any help. 

[Girl Guide]

Have you seen his marriage certificate that is on Anc*?  It gives his father as Samuel Harris, occ. Carman.  One of the witnesses is a William Joseph Harris - a brother perhaps?

[Dundee]

He was married to Emma Florence Savage in Dec 1911.

Who did he marry and who is named as his father

When he married at Clerkenwell on 25 Dec 1911, George said that his father was Samuel HARRIS, a Carman.  George was aged 19, a bachelor, occupation Stoker (?), address is possibly 35 Allen St but the handwriting is difficult to read.

Witnesses are William Joseph HARRIS and Violet Theresa (?) VOSE.

Cross posting with Girl Guide but I will leave it to give a bit more info for those who don't have access.

Debra 

[Dundee]

If you use the advanced search on the free index to the 1939 Register you can work out a date of birth by process of elimination.  I think George and Emma were in Lewisham (with Emma's age incorrectly transcribed) and his date of birth is given as 15 Aug 1893.

Debra