Harris was born in Hampstead, London in 1924 to Lewis Sklanovitch and Rose nee Tibber and had two younger sisters Joan and Isobel. The family name was changed legally from Sklanovitch in 1924 after Harris’ birth. The Sklanovitch family originated from Poland. The Sklan family were cabinet makers in the East End of London and the Tibber family manufactured raincoats. In 1939 the family were living at 13 Brunswick Terrace in Hove, Sussex. At the outbreak of war Harris’s mother, sisters, aunts and cousins were sent to North America only returning when the war was over.

Harris was a medical student who enlisted in 1943. In 1947 he was based at RAF St Athan working in the Medical Branch. He died in an accident at the station in 1947. His death certificate states that he died from misadventure due to asphyxia due to inhalation of cyclopropane.