Today we remember Private Gordon Edward Harris, who died 80 years ago today while serving in New Guinea during the Second World War. He was 26 years old.

 

Today we remember Private Gordon Edward Harris, who died 80 years ago today while serving in New Guinea during the Second World War. He was 26 years old.

Gordon Harris was born in Benalla on 17 December 1917, the son of John and Catherine Harris. His father was a stock agent for Watts, Turnbull and Co., and was one of “the best-known men in stock and racing circles throughout north-eastern Victoria”. Gordon had one brother, John, and a sister, Peggy. 

He probably grew up in Mansfield, where his father’s work was based, but little is known of his early life and education. In 1939 Gordon’s father suffered an injury to his arm, and he died shortly afterwards of blood poisoning. After his father’s death, Gordon took a position with Watt, Turnbull and Co, continuing his father’s work as a stock and station agent.

Gordon Harris enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 19 March 1943 and underwent a period of training in Cowra, New South Wales, before being sent north to Queensland. On 25 October 1943, Private Harris embarked for Port Moresby. Shortly after his arrival in New Guinea, he was posted to the 2/17th Battalion.

At the time Harris joined his battalion in the field, they had recently landed at Lae, capturing that town and nearby Finschhafen over several weeks. Shortly after he arrived, his battalion became part of the divisional reserve, and Harris had the benefit of a relaxed period as his batallion was relieved from active operations. The men undertook further training and the battalion was reorganised to cover the losses of the Lae–Finschafen operation, and the men had access to a YMCA canteen complete with wireless radio. As malaria took its toll, men like Private Harris, who had little operational experience, became the majority among the battalion’s rifle sections.

By Christmas the 2/17th Battalion was once again in a forward operational area. Nevertheless, the men were able to spend “Christmas in the traditional style [with] large groups congregated in company areas for the Christmas dinner of Turkey and Ham.” The following day a warning order was received from brigade for the battalion to prepare to advance. Within days it was pushing forward to Sialum.

On 8 January 1944, after days of advancing through battlefields and seeing bodies and bullets strewn about, the 2/17th Battalion reached the Dallman River. That morning an advanced guard from the battalion moved off from the west bank of the river, encountering enemy opposition along a track. The Australians engaged the Japanese party, flanking them and killing eight. In return, three Australians were wounded, and one killed.

The man killed in that small skirmish near the banks of the Dallman River was Private Gordon Harris. His body was buried nearby, and after the war reinterred in Lae War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea where he lies today under the words: “He died as he lived; a man. Sadly missed by mother, John & Peg.”

Many people in the Benalla district mourned the loss of Gordon Harris. The local newspaper reported, “he was a popular young man, and his many friends will regret to learn of his death.”

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wFSgY

Image: Courtesy of the National Archives of Australia.