Roy Evans Posted 23 February , 2003 Share Posted 23 February , 2003 I have a reference to Douglas Morris Harris, Hero of the 'Floandi' who was killed by enemy gunfire in the Adriatic, 1917. Does anyone have the full story? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_davies Posted 23 February , 2003 Share Posted 23 February , 2003 Roy, have you looked up Morris on the CWGC website ? There's a Able Seaman Douglas Morris Henry Harris, Wireless Operator, of HM Drifter "Flandi" (a scanning error ?) Buried at Taranto Town Cementry Extension, Italy. Parents from Watford, Doug born Wolverhampton. From Wolverhampton and World War 1-http://www.wolverhamptonarchives.dial.pipex.com/local_ww1_recruit_2.htm Douglas Harris of Pennfields, Wolverhampton, was a wireless telegrapher on board the Italian drifter Floandi. These armed drifters were used to blockade the port of Cattaro (Kotor) to prevent the Austrian Navy's use of the Adriatic. On the night of the 14th/15th May 1917, the drifters came under attack from three ships of the Austrian Navy, the Helgsland, Saida and the light cruiser Novara. Harris remained at his post during the battle and was killed: he was just 19 years old. For his bravery he was awarded one of Italy's highest honours. A memorial to Douglas Morris Harris stands in St Peter's Gardens. There's a photo of the memorial on the website. Hope this helps. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenwoodman Posted 24 February , 2003 Share Posted 24 February , 2003 Additional items from the cemetery register. Service Number BZ/9359 Quote "Killed in action in Taranto Bay 15th May, 1917". Son of Leo. E. and Mabel Harris, of Winsmore Lodge, St. Albans Road, Watford. Born at Penn, Wolverhampton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Evans Posted 25 February , 2003 Author Share Posted 25 February , 2003 Thanks to you both, that saves me from doing another bit of research! Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmtruby Posted 1 April , 2005 Share Posted 1 April , 2005 There's a fantastic article in the Black Country Bugle (24th March 2005, page 13) on Douglas Morris Henry Harris. Thanks Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmtruby Posted 20 May , 2005 Share Posted 20 May , 2005 Just wondering, whether there was any form of commemoration on 15th May this year at Douglas Morris Harris's memorial. Thanks Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Evans Posted 20 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 20 May , 2005 Ray, I've not seen the local paper this week and so don't know if anything has been reported but am going past his memorial tomorrow and will look for any signs of a new wreath or whatever. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 20 May , 2005 Share Posted 20 May , 2005 Pictures of his memorial can be found here on my site- http://wolverhamptonwarmemorials.com/St-Pe...-Church-Gardens he is also commemorated here http://wolverhamptonwarmemorials.com/St-Ph...-Memorial-Penn- Regards Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Evans Posted 25 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 25 May , 2005 Ray, I've not seen the local paper this week and so don't know if anything has been reported but am going past his memorial tomorrow and will look for any signs of a new wreath or whatever. Roy A visit to the memorial on Sunday proved fruitless - no sign of any commemoration at all. This morning I also looked in the back-copies of the local rag for any mention of the anniversary, nothing. "Their name liveth for evermore" - (not around here it don't.) Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest richpics5174 Posted 27 May , 2005 Share Posted 27 May , 2005 This would be the battle of the Otranto Barrage right? Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Evans Posted 27 May , 2005 Author Share Posted 27 May , 2005 This would be the battle of the Otranto Barrage right? Richard Richard, See posts #2 and #3 above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 27 May , 2005 Share Posted 27 May , 2005 Quote – Richard/richpics5174: This would be the battle of the Otranto Barrage right? Yes Richard, at least that’s what Michael Phillips calls it In my post above there is a link to a previous thread And from there, a further link will take you to his article on this action Regards Michael D.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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