Harris Reserve

Claud Alfred Harris was a twenty-five year old mechanic when he enlisted for service in the Great War in 1916. He served with the 10th Field Ambulance. At various times he served with both 3rd and 4th Motor Transport Companies in England and France. Claud spent some months attached to the 4th Motor Transport Graves Detachment and was granted extra leave for this detail. He returned to Australia aboard the Cap Verde, in February 1920 and was discharged three months later.

Back in civilian life Claud became a farmer. He married Ellen Frances Glismann on 23 April 1924 in the
new St John’s Church at Upper Beaconsfield, built by her father Hans. The family lived on Salisbury Road, Beaconsfield North which became Dewhurst and is now part of the Cardinia Dam Reserve. Claud and Ellen celebrated 45 years of marriage having raised two sons and two daughters.

Claud was involved with their local community; he was one of the trustees of the Upper Beaconsfield Hall and he served on the Recreation Grounds Committee for many years. He was a Berwick Shire Councillor from 1949 to1957, a member of the Akoonah Park Committee and President of the Berwick RSL, Claud’s portrait hangs on the wall.

Claud died on 28 February 1969 aged eighty, Ellen died in 1974. They are buried in the Berwick Cemetery.

*100 men, 100 years: a World War 1 walk in Berwick Cemetery [2015] Narre Warren & District Family History Group