Percy Harris was an Englishman. Born at Norwich, England on May 1, 1893 he emigrated to Canada some time before his enlistment with the 18th Battalion at Clinton, Ontario on October 23, 1914. He was all of 21 years and 5 months old and he would survive the war with the rank of Sergeant.
Perhaps the chance to return to his Mother country and visit his parents who still lived at City Road, Norwich was the draw to service but his 2-year experience with the Canadian Militia compelled him to join and share is martial skills. Perhaps the market for his skill as an “Egg Candler” was not in strong demand, or the job simply did not meet the challenges that may be afforded a young man with a military interest?
He, along with the 36 officers and 1,080 other ranks arrived in England April 28, 1915 in Liverpool and he, along with his comrades of the Battalion and “C” Company found themselves at West Sandling and began training.
The, then, Private Harris writes a letter a full month and a-half after the Battalion’s arrival and it offers some interesting insights into the Battalion’s military life. As well, his service record offers an opportunity to dwell upon his service with some detail.
Private Harris is appointed a “2nd Class Cook on April 16, 1915 and his pay is annotated to be paid out at this new grade on April 29. During this time the Battalion was engaged in training per syllabus outlined in the war diaries for May and June of 1915.
His letter allows us to confirm that his unit was sleeping under a roof, and not tents, an area of concern given the experiences the 1st Canadian Contingent experienced during its training and acclimation upon its arrival to England in the Fall of 1914. The Canadian “Oliver” pattern webbing has been exchanged for the more functional and suitable 1908 Pattern Webbing. One week prior to the date of the latter (June 11, 1915) Private Harris could obtain leave and visit his family in Norwich, a trip by train of approximately 4 hours with 2 to 3 changes.
Letters from the Front
Pte. Percy Harris formerly of Wingham but now serving with the 18th Battalion, 2nd Contingent, writing from Sandling Camp, Hythe, Kent. To a friend in Wingham says:–
Reg. No. 53983[i], C. Company,
18th Battalion
June 11th, 1915Dear Friend:–
Just a few lines to let you know how we are making things go here. This is certainly a fine place and everything is made as convenient as possible for the troops. We sleep in huts instead of tents and I think they are much better and more convenient. We received our new equipment a few days ago and the boys certainly like it as it is more easily handed than the “Oliver”.
I was up home for six days leave last week and of course my people were very glad to see me and I certainly had some time. I called on Harry Whitworth, formerly of Wingham, and he was suffering with a server attack of appendicitis. He wished to be remembered to all the Wingham folks, so you may rest assured none of us have forgotten to old Wingham town. Harry was taken to the hospital the next day, so I did not get a chance to see him again although possibly I will when I get my next leave.
Well, I must close now with love to you all.
I remain
Yours sincerely,
Percy Harris.
Source: The Wingham Advance. July 1, 1915. Page 1.
He obvious feels a connection to Wingham and the people of that town having written a friend and relating a visit with a Harry Whitworth, another resident of the town.
In a later letter, dated July 20, 1916 shows he is continuing his correspondence as he relates:
A friend of in Wingham received a letter from Sergt. Percy Harris in which he expresses thanks for the parcel containing the safety razor, steel mirror and dollar bill. He says the razor and mirror will indeed be very useful. Percy is with the 18th Battalion and is well, although he has been in the trenches for some time.
Source: The Wingham Advance, 1916-07-20, Page 1.
His promotion to Sergeant was effective on January 27, 1916 while the Battalion was in Belgium and the items sent to him, save, perhaps, the dollar bill, are “very useful” to him. He had been in active service in Europe since the latter part of September 1915 and by the date of the letter the Battalion was only a month from being transferred to the Somme.
Sergeant Harris survived the war and served entirely with the 18th Battalion from its inception to its final demobilization in the Spring of 1919. He was one of the “originals” and his letters give one a sense of a soldier’s experience, making it more tangible to the modern reader.
[i] This is a typographic error. Sgt. Harris’ regimental number was 53682.
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History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 
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