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{{CaptRN}} (retired) '''Arthur Gerald Harris''', R.N. (21 March, 1886 &ndash; 18 July, 1947) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]]. ==Life & Career== The son of a banker, Harris was born in Bradford, Yorks. He passed out of {{UK-1Britannia}} in May, 1902 and spent nearly two and a half years in the {{UK-Formidable|f=t}} in the Mediterranean, during which time he received practical instruction in navigation. Captain [[Alexander William Chisholm-Batten|Chisholm-Batten]] noted his capacity for the French language and wrote of him, "Very upright. who will do well." Harris was sent on to the {{UK-Kent}} of the {{UK-CS}} until July, 1905 when he underwent his seamanship examination, obtaining only a third-class certificate. Later exams at the Naval College over the next year produced third-class certificates in Navigation and second-class in Pilotage, Gunnery and Torpedoes.<ref>Harris Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/125.|}} f. 235.</ref> After participating in the Annual Manoeuvres in June 1906 in the {{UK-Jed|f=t}}, Harris spent four months in the cruiser {{UK-Roxburgh}} before being appointed to the {{UK-Kale|f=t}} on 15 November, 1906.<ref>Harris Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/125.|}} f. 235.</ref> Promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 31 December, 1907, Harris remained in ''Kale'' until being appointed in command of the {{UK-TB81|f=t}} on 18 February, 1908.<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). ''The Times''. Saturday, 15 February, 1908. Issue '''38570''', col B, p. 12.</ref> Harris was appointed to the {{UK-PrincessRoyal|f=t}} of the {{UK-CS|1}} on 14 November, 1912. This would remain his home for some time. Harris was promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 31 December, 1915 and be present at the [[Battle of Jutland]].<ref>Harris Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/125.|}} f. 235.</ref> Harris left {{UK-PrincessRoyal}} when he was appointed to the {{UK-Centaur|f=t}} in January, 1918, and at the end of 1920 he was the senior officer aboard, though he was not apparently ever appointed in command of the ship.{{NLDec20|p. 743}} Harris was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1920. Apart from some time in 1922 on loan to the [[Royal Australian Navy]], Harris would spend much of the 1920s appointed to Barracks or undertaking instruction, but from August 1928 he commanded flotilla leader {{UK-Saumarez}}. On 29 November 1928, he damaged {{UK-Veteran}} in a collision while coming alongside, for which he would be cautioned by Commander-in-Chief, Devonport to be more careful in future. He would transfer to command of {{UK-Keppel|f=p}} around September, 1930.<ref>Harris Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/125.|}} f. 235.</ref> From 14 November 1930 until 21 September, 1931, he was appointed to {{UK-Carysfort}} as Commander (D), Devonport and for command of Destroyers in Reserve at that port.<ref>Harris Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/125.|}} f. 235.</ref> Harris was placed on the Retired List at his own request with the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 21 March, 1932. ==World War II== Harris was appointed to the {{UK-JervisBay|f=t}} on 2 September, 1939, to assume command upon her commissioning. He was granted the acting rank of Captain on 10 November, 1939. After leaving command of his A.M.C. in early 1940, Harris was briefly reverted to the Retired List before being appointed as Chief Staff Officer to the Flag Officer in Charge, [[Harwich]] from 29 January, 1941 until 14 November, 1942. Later in the war, he participated on Engineering Cadet Selection Boards.<ref>Harris Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/125.|}} f. 235.</ref> Harris died when a gastric ulcer hemmorrhaged. ==See Also== {{refbegin}} * [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_rv=simple&_q=ADM+Arthur+Gerald+Harris Service Records] {{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Gerald_Harris}} * [[H.M.S. Princess Royal at the Battle of Jutland]] {{refend}} <div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}} {{TabNaval}} {{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Rumney Samson|Charles R. Samson]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 81 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 81]]'''<br>18 Feb, 1908<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence". ''The Times''. Saturday, 15 February, 1908. Issue '''38570''', col B, p. 12.</ref> &ndash; 7 Apr, 1908|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Lionel George Preston|Lionel G. Preston]]'''}} {{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Lionel George Preston|Lionel G. Preston]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 107 (1901)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 107]]'''<br>7 Apr, 1908{{NLJan10|p. 401''a''}} &ndash; Jan, 1910|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Alexander Leslie Fletcher|Alexander L. Fletcher]]'''}} {{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Stuart Elton Holder|Stuart E. Holder]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Saumarez (1916)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Saumarez'']]'''<br>23 Aug, 1928{{NLFeb29|p. 267}} &ndash; Sep, 1930|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}} {{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Cyril Gordon Sedgwick|Cyril G. Sedgwick]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Keppel (1920)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Keppel'']]'''<br>Sep, 1930 &ndash; 14 Nov, 1930|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Percy Ralph Passawer Percival|Percy R. P. Percival]]'''}} {{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Jervis Bay (1922)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Jervis Bay'']]'''<br>2 Sep, 1939 &ndash; 11 Feb, 1940|Succeeded by<br>'''[[James Alexander Pollard Blackburn|James A. P. Blackburn]]'''}} {{TabEnd}} </div name=fredbot:appts> ==Footnotes== {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Arthur Gerald}} {{CatPerson|UK|1886|1947}} {{CatCapt|UK}} {{CatBritannia|January, 1901}} {{CatRN}}

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