Colonel Sir David Harris

Biography

Son of Woolf & Phoebe Harris. Married age 21 to Rosa Gabriel of Prussia in Kimberly, Cape Colony, SA on 6 Nov 1873 Died age 90 in Kimberly, Cape Colony, SA 23 Sept 1942

David Harris was born in the City of London on 12 July 1852 and educated at Coxford’s College, City of London. In 1871, at the age of 19, he emigrated to South Africa. Making his way to the ‘Diamond Fields’, he invested in a claim in the Dutoitspan Mine, which he worked with moderate success. Meanwhile he learned the business of diamond buying and got employment as a buyer; eventually setting up on his own account. He later acquired new claims and became an associate of Cecil John Rhodes, and in 1897 was made a director of De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. He was subsequently Chairman of De Beers, and other mining companies, retiring in 1931

Became Lieutenant Diamond Fields Horse in 1876, promoted Captain 1878. Mentioned in Despatches & Received South Africa Medal 1877-79 & clasps for service in Gaika and Galecka (26th September 1877 - 28th June 1878) & Griquas (24th April - 13th November 1878) campaigns. Became Major in Kimberley Regiment in 1890. Became Lieutenant Colonel commanding Griqualand West Brigade in 1896 Commanded the column that quelled the native rising in Bechuanaland (24th December 1896 - 30th July 1897) qualifying for Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal. During 2nd Anglo-Boer 1899–1900 he commanded Kimberley Town Guard during its defence and was Mentioned in Despatches; made CGM in thanks.

Harris was elected a member for Kimberley in the Cape Legislative Assembly in 1897, and was re-elected in 1904. He retained his seat at the Union in 1910, and retired in 1929 as the longest serving member Harris was a keen and long serving Volunteer soldier. In 1876 he answered a call for volunteers for the 9th Kaffir War. He became a Sergeant in the Dutoitspan Hussars and went on active service with them. He became Paymaster and Quartermaster in the Diamond Fields Horse in 1877, and Lieutenant in 1878. He served as Adjutant under Sir Charles Warren. He was mentioned in despatches and was awarded the South Africa Medal 1877-79 with a clasp for the Gaika-Gealeka campaign. He subsequently took part in the Griqualand West campaign of 1878. On 13 August 1888, Captain Harris became the Commanding Officer of the Victoria Rifles, until he resigned in October 1890. In December 1890 he became Commanding Officer with the rank of Major, of the Kimberley Rifles. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in May 1894 and remained C.O. until December 1895. In January 1896 he became commander of the Griqualand West Brigade. He took part in the supression of the Bechuanaland rebellion of 1896-97, for which he was awarded the Cape of Good Hope general Service Medal with one clasp. Lieutenant-Colonel Harris was awarded the V.D., this notified in the Cape of Good Hope Govt. Gazette of 8 December 1896. Harris took part in the Boer War 1899-1902 when he served in the Kimberley Town Guard. For his services he was mentioned in Lord Robert’s despatch (London Gazette 19 April 1901), was appointed a C.M.G. (1900), and was awarded the Queen’s medal with one clasp and the King’s medal with two. On 1 January 1903 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Kimberley Regiment and remained such until his death. Colonel Harris was appointed a K.C.M.G. in the Coronation Honours of 1911. Coming to England in 1911, he stayed at the Carlton Hotel. On 11 August 1911 there was a serious fire in which he only just escaped with his life but one in which most of his medals were lost. 1911 Invested as KCMG (Knight Companion of the Order of St Michael & St George) 1900 Invested as CMG (Companion of the Order of St Michael & St George) Awarded VD, Cape Colonial Forces (Volunteer Officers Decoration)

Published his memoirs in the Book Pioneer, Soldier, and Politician 1931/32? Available online at http://www.angloboerwar.com/books/64-harris-pioneer-soldier-...

Member of Kimberly Club, Kimberly & Civil Service Club, Cape Town

Multiple Source including: Who Was Who, A & C Black, 1920–2008 Also see http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol106dh.html .

Colonel Sir David Harris was a British (Anglo-Jewish) soldier and South African pioneer. His memoir "Pioneer, soldier and politician : summarized memoirs" with a foreword by J.C. Smuts was published in 1929.

• Updated from Ancestry Genealogy via father Woolf Harris by SmartCopy: Dec 22 2015, 2:34:23 UTC