Harris Claire Tonkin was born on 12 April 1910 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of William James Tonkin and Cassandra Van Alen. He had an older brother William Van Alen Tonkin, a younger sister, Ellen Daisy Tonkin and a younger brother, Ralph Rigdon Tonkin. Harris was married to Ruby Bundren and father of Harris Duane (Bud) Tonkin and Julia Clair Tonkin. Sgt Tonkin attended Knoxville High School and enlisted on December 7, 1942 in Fort Oglethorpe, GA.
He died 17 March 1945 in France
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 7 April 1945
Sgt. Harris C. Tonkin, son of Mrs. Cassandra Tonkin and husband of Mrs. Ruby Bundren Tonkin, of 2304 East Fifth Avenue, was killed in action in France, March 17, according to the War Department. Sgt. Tonkin was in the Seventh Army. He was an instructor at Fort McClellan, Ala., two years before going overseas in November, 1944. He is a graduate of KHS and was employed by C.D. Kenny Co., before entering service. Sgt. Tonkin is survived by two children, Judy Clair and Harris Duane; a sister, Mrs. Ellen Delius of Oak Ridge; and two brothers, Allen of Norfolk, Va., and Ralph R., of Chattanooga.
- Rank: Sergeant
- Date of birth: 12 April 1910
- Date of death: 17 March 1945
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 42nd Rainbow Division, Company D, 222nd Infantry Regiment
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Lynnhurst Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Bottom Panel
- Sponsored by: Harris Duane (Bud) Ford
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