Height: 6cm (2.3in)
Silver, gilt and enamel. Modelled as over-sized thimbles with gilt interiors, engraved to the inside of the rim with presentation inscription 'To the 2nd Batt'n XX Regiment from Capt G. Fred Harris 1876’. The out of each enamelled ‘A Thimbleful’. Maker’s mark of Colen Hewer Cheshire. Hallmarked Birmingham 1876. Gross weight: 104g.
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‘Irish Times’ obituary of much lamented Captain Fred Harris, 22 May 1884: -
‘The news of the death of Captain G. Fred. Harris will be received with keen regret by very large circle of friends and acquaintances in this city and throughout Ireland, in many parts of which he was well known and widely popular. The son of Colonel Robert Harris, formerly of the 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers, Captain Harris was educated at Sandhurst, and received his commission at the age of 16, being appointed to the 2nd Battalion of the 20th Regiment, then quartered at Clonmel. Not long after joining his regiment he obtained a high-class certificate the School of Musketry, and became regimental instructor of musketry, a post which he retained for a considerable time, during which he served in India, China, and Japan (the 20th being the first English regiment ever landed there) again in China and afterwards in Natal, the Mauritius, and British Caffraria. From 1872 to 1874 he was Superintendent of Gymnasia for the Dublin, Belfast, and Curragh districts. He was then transferred to the 3rd Foot (The Buffs), and was then “lent” to the Finsbury Rifles, of which he was adjutant for the usual time. On leaving leaving the Volunteers he was appointed to the Army Pay Department. Captain Harris was ca man of splendid physique, an adept in all athletic exercises, and of dauntless courage. In September, 1877, he saved five lives at a fire in Dublin, and alone and unaided, at the imminent risk of his life he removed from a burning house a quantity of paraffin oil, thus saving the neighbouring premises from destruction. For this heroic achievement he received the silver medal of the order of St John of Jerusalem, and was decorated by the Princess of Wales, Wimbledon, with the badge of the order, of which she is patroness. While Superintendent of Gymnasia here he organised a most successful assault at arms which resulted in a profit of £500 which was handed over to the Drummond Institution. There memory of the brave, genial and popular Fred. Harris will long be held in remembrance by all who knew him.’