| Last updated: Sun, 02 Aug 2026 |
| FORTIS, Harry |
Family Historian Individual Narrative
Harry FORTIS, son of William FORTIS (c. 1843-c. 1883) and Maria WITTON (c. 1847-1909), was born on 26 December 1871 in Bressingham, Norfolk. He was baptised on 26 March 1872 in Bressingham , the ceremony was conducted by Rev. G H C BIDWELL, Rector. In the 1881 Census (3 Apr 1881) he appeared at Chequers Lane in Bressingham - 9, scholar, living with parents William (38. agricultural labourer) and Maria (34), and siblings Emma S J (13), Edith E (6, scholar), Florence E (4), Ernest W (2) and Albert..... View full FH text (See notes below) View Family Tree (See notes below) |
| Birth: | 26.12.1871 : Bressingham, Norfolk : Reg. 1872 Q1 Guiltcross Norfolk Vol 4B Page 243 |
| Baptism: | 26.03.1872 : Bressingham, Norfolk |
| Marriage: | 21.7.1897 at South Lopham, Norfolk to Florence Emily FLATMAN : Reg. 1897 Q3 Guiltcross Norfolk Vol 4B Page 475 : groom, 25, a labourer, his father William, a labourer, bride, age not given, her father Herbert, a farmer |
| 1881 Census: | Bressingham, Norfolk : 9, scholar, living with parents William (38. agricultural labourer) and Maria (34), and siblings Emma S J (13), Edith E (6, scholar), Florence E (4), Ernest W (2) and Albert J (6 mos). (RG11 Piece 1971 Folio 91 Page 20 Schedule 1146) |
| 1901 Census: | Bressingham, Norfolk : 29, ordinary farm labourer, living with wife Florence (23), son Stanley (3), and Nephew Willie (5). (RG13 Piece 1865 Folio 111 Page 15 Schedule 104) |
| 1911 Census: | North Lopham, Norfolk : 39, farmer, living with wife Florence (31) and children Herbert (10, scholar), Doris (8), Nellie (7), Mildred (6), Olive (4) and Linda (2). (RG14 PN11745 RD239 SD2 ED18 SN143) |
| 1921 Census: | North Lopham, Norfolk : 49:9, labourer working for S Worby farmer, living with wife Florence (44:1), children Stanley (23:8, labourer), Herbert (20, labourer), Doris (18:8), Linda (12:8, full time scholar), Harry (8:3, full time scholar), Queenie (6:11, full time scholar) and Jack (2:6), and boarder Sidney EMMS (26, labourer working for J LAND farmer). (RG15 Piece 09901 Schedule 126 RD 239 RS 2 ED 18) |
| 1939 Reg.: | 3 Council Houses, Kings Head Lane, North Lopham, Norfolk : b. 26.12.1871, part time gardener, living with wife Florence (b. 29.05.1878, unpaid domestic duties) and children Herbert K (b. 01.06.1901, builder's labourer), Horace H (b. 19.03.1913, land worker), Queenie M (b. 20.07.1914, domestic servant) and Jack (b. 01.12.1918, land worker). : part time gardener (RG101/6588I/004/1 Letter Code: TSDI) |
| Death: | 05.03.1951 : North Lopham, Norfolk : Reg. 1951 Q1 Wayland Norfolk Vol 4B Page 1072 |
| Burial: | 14.03.1951 at North Lopham, Norfolk |
| Military: | Harry enlisted at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on 1 September 1887 - stated he was 18!, to join the Norfolk Regiment, service numbr 2113. He joined the Norfolk Regiment (Ser, No. 2116) on 1 November 1887. From 11 March 1889 he served in the East Indies, first serving in Wellington, moving to Rangoon on 02.03.1891, Imballa on 02.03.1894, Dagshai on 01.04.1894, Imballa on 27.10.1894, Dagshai on 27.03.1895 (including a period in hospital from 27.07.1895 to 06.08.1895 with dyspepsia), Deolali (a transit post) on 25.09.1895, leaving the East Indies on 10.10.1895 on the S.S. Victoria, back on home soil on 20.11.1895. He was transferred on 24 November 1895 to the Army Reserve. He was discharged on 31 October 1899 on the termina?on of his period of engagement. On 13 March 1900 he joined the Corps of the Royal Reserve Regiment, a?ested at Norwich, and joined the Corps at Aldershot on 05.03.1900. Harry was a?ested and embodied on 6 October 1914 to the 4th Bn. Norfolk Regiment. Harry was promoted on 28 November 1914 to Corporal (provisional), confirmed on 02.12.1914. He was promoted on 26 December 1914 to Sergeant. He was transferred on 28 July 1917 to the R.A.F. Wyton base in Cambridgeshire. He was transferred on 1 April 1918 to the R.A.F. He was transferred on 12 March 1919 to the R.A.F. General Reserve. He was discharged on 30 April 1920. |
| SQL: SELECT * FROM TotalInfo WHERE Ref = 181 |
