Sgt Harris MM Landed on GOLD Beach with 50 Division on 6 Jun 1944.

‘Wally” was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with 90 Field Regiment Royal Artillery. The citation for his outstanding act of bravery in the face of the enemy was signed by Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein and reads:

‘At MONS EN PEVELLE on 3 Sep 1944 Sgt HARRIS was in charge of a Light Aid Detachment (LAD) Section travelling behind the gun group when an enemy column approached the exposed LAD and B Echelon. Sgt HARRIS, regardless of his own safety, drove his jeep into an exposed position and despite heavy enemy fire engaged the column with a .30 Browning. He wounded or killed 12 to 15 of the enemy and afterwards organised a patrol which captured 15 prisoners. Sgt HARRIS’ courage and coolness undoubtedly saved the LAD and B Echelon considerable casualties and damage’.

A docudrama telling Wally’s story was recently filmed by Ivory London Ltd and is titled ‘Above and Beyond - The Craftsman’.

Wally joined the Army in 1939 and served overseas throughout the majority of the war. He was demobbed in 1946 but continued to serve with the Territorial Army reaching the rank of Warrant Officer 2nd Class.

Wally is still married to his childhood sweetheart Dolly. They had seven children and still live in the Bracknell area. He continues to support his beloved Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). And frequently attends many public engagements.