Morley Johnson Harris

    • Morley Johnson Harris
    • RCE GVIR Badge
    • Morley Johnson Harris's grave marker

    We regret to advise of the death of Morley Johnson Harris on 7 April 2013 in Swan River MB at the age of 91 years.

    Morley was born in Swan River and lived there for most of his life. He was a veteran of the Second World War who served from 1942 until 1946. Overseas, he was with the 1st Canadian Railway Operating Company, Royal Canadian Engineers. He trained and operated railways in the United Kingdom for two years before shipping to France in September 1944 with more than 50 locomotives and a few hundred wagons. The companies were soon moving freight and people with over 12,000 pieces of rolling stock through France, the Low Countries and eventually into Germany. The companies were disbanded in September 1945 and Morley returned home to be discharged in March 1946.

    Morley soon married and started a family. He farmed in the Kenville District MB until 1972 and then worked as an instructor at the Lions Happy Valley Workshop. He started a shoe and harness repair shop that he operated until 1979. He then lived in Penticton BC where he worked as a caretaker for the Arts Council Centre until 1984 when he returned to Swan River.

    Morley is buried in Birchwood Cemetery in Swan River.