James Leslie Harries defused and removed German naval mines during and immediately after the Second World War.

Harries joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve after having been told he was too old for Royal Navy active service. After initially working on mines dropped in British waters, he commanded one of the "P-Parties" responsible for clearing mines, demolition charges, and booby traps from recently liberated ports in Northwest Europe and Germany. These medals testify to his service, and include the Order of the British Empire (left), the George Medal and Bar (second from left), and the United States Legion of Merit (right), all awarded for mine clearance work.

Medal Set, Commander James Leslie Harries
Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals
CWM 19880306-001