Hi, I am the chairman of the Dublin branch of the Western Front Association and have been contacted by the Fromelles Association of Australia with regards to the above man. They are the group that are trying to identify the bodies Australian soldiers of WW1 that were discovered in a mass grave near Fromelles in France a few years ago. They know from a German casualty list that James was buried in the grave and are trying to find a descendant to do DNA tests.
They gave me the following info:
An OPW memo dated 1948 reads: "These quarters [residential buildings in the battery] were occupied by Mr. James Harris up to the date of his death on 31/1/36 at a rent equivalent to the rates assessable on a P.L.V of 'a37.. His widow was allowed to remain at the premises at the same rent until her death on 9/9/39. Subsequently the premises were occupied by Mr. Thos. Sutherland, a grandson of Mr. Harries until 1940.....
Another interesting memo of 1948 reads; "James Harris was placed in the quarters by the British War Office. He was employed by the Bd. [Board of Works?] as a labourer from 1891 to 1920 when he was appointed caretaker of the Battery. His services were dispensed within 1933, but he was allowed to remain on a tenant in view of his advanced age"
They also tell me that they have had no luck tracing descendants of his siblings and are now looking for info on his father and grandparents.
Regards
IanC