Lucy Harris was born out of wedlock in 1887 to a laundress, Emily Haley. Lucy’s mother married in 1888 and had a further 3 children. Lucy’s mother died in 1898, and shortly afterwards her stepfather remarried. At this point Lucy went to live with her grandfather, Charles Haley of Oxford Hill.
With his death in 1906, at the age of 19, Lucy went to live with her uncle, William Haley. At the age of 24, according to the 1911 census, Lucy was working in Witney as a blanket weaver.
In 1917, aged 30, Lucy married a Mr Percy Harris. Lucy and Percy moved to London that same year. On 16th October 1918 Lucy enlisted in the WRAF (Women’s Royal Auxiliary Force). 1918 was not only the last year of the second world war, it was also the start of the Great influenza epidemic that lasted until 1920. Lucy died of influenza only two weeks after signing up for the WRAF.
Lucy was brought home to Witney and buried in Cogges Churchyard at the foot her grandparents, Charles and Catherine Haley. She had no headstone and was not recorded on either the town centre War Memorial or the plaque inside Cogges church. It is thanks to the research and concerted efforts of local historian, Jeff Clements, that the Town Council agreed to Add her name to the war Memorial in March 2024, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by women during conflicts.
By Amy, volunteer Witney and District Museum