| Alexander was the son of Abraham and Mary Margaret Harkness. Abraham Harkness married Mary McCartney on 5th January 1882 in the district of Cookstown.
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| Alexander Duff Harkness was born in Coagh on 9th November 1888. He was one of at least eight children.
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| Family: Abraham Harkness, Mary Margaret Harkness, John Harkness (born 10th February 1883), Matilda Tillie Harkness (born 26th December 1884), Robert A Harkness (born 18th January 1887), Alexander Duff Harkness (born 9th November 1888), Margaret Harkness (born 9th March 1891), Eliza Harkness (born 6th August 1893), Abraham Harkness (born 3rd August 1896, died 5th June 1903, age 6), Samuel Harkness (born 5th January 1899).
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| The 1901 census lists Alexander as age 11, living with the family at house 4 in Drumconway, Coagh, County Tyrone. Alexander was still at school. They were a farming family.
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| Alexander’s younger brother, Abraham Harkness, died on 5th June 1903, aged just 6.
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| Alexander’s father died on 17th April 1908 in Coagh, aged 66.
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| The 1911 census does not list Alexander as living with the family at house 4 in Drumconway, Coagh, Tyrone. In fact, he is not listed anywhere on the 1911 census.
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| 1914
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| It seems he emigrated to New Zealand in 1914. Alexander D Harkness arrived in Bluff from London, England on 11th August 1914. He was 26 years old and a farmer.
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| 1916
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| Alexander Harkness enlisted at Trentham Military Camp on 25th July 1916. He gave his next of kin as his mother Margaret, who was living in Coagh. He also lists an Andrew McCartney, from Levin in Wellington, who was his uncle.
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| Alexander stated that he was working as a Wellington fire brigade man. He gave last known address as the Thorddon Fire Station in Wellington. In fact, his last employer was a Dr Hassell, and he was working as a mental hospital attendant at the Mental Hospital in Porirua.
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| 1917
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| After training in New Zealand, his unit arrived at Devenport in England on 29th January 1917.
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| In May he was allowed home on leave and visited his old home in Drumconvis.
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| Private Harkness was again given leave in August 1917.
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| After more training, his unit left for France on 5th September 1917.
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| Private Harkness joined his battalion in the field on 20th September 1917.
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| 1917
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| In July 1918 he was admitted to hospital due to illness. He was back with his battalion a week later.
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| Private Alexander Harkness was severely wounded on 15th August 1918 in France. He had received shrapnel wounds to the leg, head and left arm.
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| Private Alexander Harkness was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Wellington Regiment when he died of his wounds at Casualty Clearing Station No. 56 the following day on 16th August 1918
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| In a letter to his mother, one of his friends said.
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| “Your boy was a Company stretcher bearer and while going forward with three others a shell landed very close. One chap was killed, and the others, including your son, received nasty wounds. Company stretcher bearers do splendid work here. They are right up at the front with their companies and carry from the front line to the Regimental Aid post.”
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| Mrs. Harkness also received letters of sympathy from Mr. Milner, Secretary of State for war, Mr. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, Wellington, New Zealand, and the Governor of New Zealand.
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| 1918
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th September 1918:
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| HARKNESS – Died of wounds received in action on France, 16th August 1918, Private A D Harkness, 2nd Battalion Wellington Regiment, New Zealand Forces, son of Mr A Harkness, Drumconvis, Coagh, County Tyrone, aged 30 years.
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‘At rest, all battles over,
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His weary marching done.
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Brave to the last, to his God he passed,
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And the victors’ crown he won.
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No scream of shell disturbs his rest,
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No tramp of charging feet;
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The Commander above has said ‘Well done’,
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Need we grudge him the rest so sweet?’
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| Ever remembered by his sorrowing mother, sisters, and brothers. Drumconvis, Coagh.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 7th September 1918: Private Alexander Harkness
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| Private Alexander Harkness, Wellington Regiment, New Zealand Forces, son of Mrs Harkness, Drumconvis, who was killed in action on 16th August. He was 30 years of age and had emigrated to New Zealand in 1914. In 1916 he joined the Wellington Regiment and was in training until January 1917, when he landed in England. The following May he visited his home in Drumconvis and again in August 1917, he got another furlough. He was mortally wounded at his post as stretcher bearer. A chum writing to his mother says:-
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| ‘Your boy was a company stretcher bearer and while going forward with three others, a shell landed very close. One chap was killed, and the others, including your son, received nasty wounds. Company stretcher bearers do a splendid work here. They are right up at the front with their companies and carry from the front line to the regimental aid post.’
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| A later letter from the chaplain to his mother says:-
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| ‘Your dear son passed peacefully away in this hospital. I had hoped he might live. His thoughts were of you constantly and he eagerly looked forward to arriving home. The Lord was with him on his bed of suffering and gave him strength and comfort in his last moments. He was buried in our military cemetery.’
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| The following messages of sympathy were received by Mrs Harkness:-
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| ‘The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in you sorrow. He, whose loss you mourn, died in the noblest of causes. His country will be ever grateful to him for the sacrifice he has made for freedom and justice. Milner. Secretary of State for War.’
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| ‘Please accept my sincerest sympathy in the loss you and New Zealand have suffered. J Allen. Ministry of Defence., Wellington, New Zealand.’
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| ‘I desire to convey to you an expression of sympathy from myself and Countess of Liverpool in the loss you have suffered. Liverpool, Governor of New Zealand.’
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| Memorials
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| Private Alexander Duff Harkness is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France.
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| The CWGC record Private A D Harkness as the son of Abraham and Margaret Harkness, of Drumconvis, Coagh, County Tyrone.
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