John Harris was born in the first quarter of 1925 in Stoke on Trent to parents Frances John Harris (18.03.1898) and Sarah Jane née Whitehurst (09.08.1900). He was one of four surviving children. His siblings were Jean born 1924 died 1924, Ewart J 1926 died 1927, Bernard 26.05.1928, twins Barbara 25.05.1930 died 1936 and Doreen 25.05.1930 and Philip 1939. 

John's father Frances John Harris enlisted in October 1914 having served in the Royal Engineers as Corporal, service number 487977, he sustained gunshot wounds to both legs in March of 1918 and was medically discharged in 1918. His address being 10 Edward Street, Smallthorne, Staffordshire. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. 

After the war, the 1921 census sees Frances John Harris living at 10 Edward Street, Smallthorne aged 23 working as a Brass Finisher, Capstan Lathe Operator, for T. M. Birkett & Son Ltd Bros Founders and Engineers. He was living with his step mother Emma Harris; his father James had died in 1920. 

Having married Sarah Jane Whitehurst in July of 1922, the 1939 register sees Frances John Harris and Sarah Jane living 22 Leek Road, Stoke on Trent, living with their children Bernard and Doreen, both are school children. A redacted file is also present, potentially being John Harris who would have been 14 years old and also still at school. He was educated at Leek High School. A younger sibling, Philip was born in 1939.  

John Harris volunteered for service in January 1943 aged just 18, he was called up in May of 1943 and became Sergeant on the 21st January 1944 and then commissioned to Flighing Officer July 21st 1944. 

His parents were living at 434 New Leek Road ,Sneyd Green, Staffordshire at the time of his death in 1945. 

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK, No. 37 SQUADRON RAF.

Compiled by F/LT J. WEBSTER.

TORTORELLA, ITALY

COMMANDING OFFICER'S SUMMARY.

APRIL 1945.

Except for the sure expectation of peace within a very few days of the end of the month, April was most disappointing.

At the end of March the Squadron was running second in the Group, it was hoped that April would find it in the lead. It was far otherwise.

Three aircraft were written off as total losses, from which four people were killed, fifteen missing and two injured. Of these, P/O KNIGHT is believed to have collided over the sea with another aircraft on returning from a sortie; F/SGT. OLD is now known to have been hit by flak over LUBLJANA and P/O. LOANE crashed shortly after a night take-off. P/O. LOANE's crash prevented 10 other aircraft from operating which brought our monthly sorties down to 140 and reduced the load carried by approximately 38 tons. Seven aircraft returned early, the most in one month for many months.

In accuracy of bombing and operational discipline the Squadron excelled. Photographs of strikes made at night in support of the 5th and 8th Armies show all bombs to be in the very limited area prescribed; results were consistently good. The strike against FHETLASSING Marshalling Yards near SALZBURG far deeper and more formidable than the normal so well executed was a fitting operation with which to finish the war.

Wing Commander, Commanding, No. 37 Squadron, R. A. F. 

On the night of 3rd April 1945 

Pilot Officer Geoffrey B Knight aged 27 

Flying Officer John Harris aged 20 

Flying Officer Charles R Jarratt aged 23 

Flight Sergeant Ronald G Hogben aged 20

Flight Sergeant David W Horton aged 21

Sergeant Henry K Bradburn aged 39

Sergeant William Hunter 

Sergeant Gerard Riley aged 25 

Were all Killed in action flying out of Tortorella, Italy, in a Consolidated Liberator BVI, serial number KL361, when the aircraft was lost during a raid on marshalling yards at Novska about 50 miles southeast of Zagreb, Yugoslavia. 

All are remembered on the MALTA MEMORIAL Panel 18, Column 1 and 2, with the exception of Flight Sergeant Ronald Hogben who is remembered at the Bari War Cemetery Italy XVI.E.4. 

Missing Officer J Harris . Notification has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Harris, of 434, Leek New road, Sneyd Green, that their eldest son, Flying Officer John Harris, RAFVR., serving as a Wireless Operator is reported missing from air operations in Italy. He volunteered for crew duties in January 1943: and was called up in May of the same year. Obtaining his commission in June last year: then he went overseas in July . Educated at the Leek High School he was employed on the general office staff of Messrs. Doulton and Company Limited. Burslem. Sentinel Newspaper April 17th 1945 . 

As well as being remembered on the Malta Memorial panel 18 column 1, John Harris is commemorated on the Royal Doulton Burslem Memorial.

Alongside the fifteen Royal Doulton workers who gave their lives in WW2 John is featured in the Burslem Bulletin, a periodical review designed to interest all who are attached to the Burslem team of Doulton & Co., Limited Vol. IV MARCH, 1950 No. 1. 

An application has been made for his medal entitlement. 

Sources. 

• Parents marriage: General Register Office; United Kingdom; Volume: 6b; Page: 423 married July 1922. 
• Birth General Register Office; United Kingdom; Reference: Volume 6b, Page 248
• Forces War Records, UK, WWI, British Army Medal Roll Index Cards, 1914-1920 (https://uk.forceswarrecords.com/publication/932/uk-wwi-british-army-medal-roll-index-cards-1914-1920 : accessed 12 Apr 2026), database and images, https://uk.forceswarrecords.com/publication/932/uk-wwi-british-army-medal-roll-index-cards-1914-1920
• The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; 1921 Census Returns; Reference: RG 15/12761, ED 7, Sch 20; Book: 12761
• Forces War Records, UK, WWII, Index to Allied Airmen Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 (https://uk.forceswarrecords.com/publication/1348/uk-wwii-index-to-allied-airmen-roll-of-honour-1939-1945 : accessed 11 Apr 2026), database and images, https://uk.forceswarrecords.com/publication/1348/uk-wwii-index-to-allied-airmen-roll-of-honour-1939-1945
• https://www.roll-of-honour.com/Overseas/maltamemorialww2 
• https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000525/19450417/005/0001
• https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1082181/john-harris/