John Harrison 1900 - 1918

[LindaS]

I don't know what I'm looking for really but John Harrison is (or was) my Grand Uncle His details are
101304, 6th Bn., The King's (Liverpool Regiment) who died on 08 November 1918 Age 19. He was a Rifleman. France & Flanders Killed in action. He joined up twice - the first time underage. Ive got him on the Censuses 1901 & 1911 His parents were William & Ann Harrison of 85 Bold Street St Helens.
Has anybody got any War Diaries or any other information about him. He was buried at Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension. Got that from the CWGC.
Thanks

[promenade]

Linda,

I have very little information on Pte Harrison, most of which you already have. I hope you will find the following of interest!

Regards
Joe

HARRISON, Rifleman, JOHN, 101304. 6th Battalion. King's Liverpool Regiment. 8th November 1918. Age 19. Son of Mrs. Ann Harrison, of 85, Bold St., St. Helens, Lancs. IV. C. 2. (Tournai Communal Cemetery, Allied Extension - Belgium)

Rfn Harrison originally served in 51 Welsh Regt (they were a training Battalion and were stationed in Yarmouth in April 1918) and was transferred to 6 KLR on 21/4/18 most probably when he arrived in France. He was killed in action three days before the armistice was declared on 11/11/18. The following is a transcription of the war diary for 6 KLR.

8/11/18
In the early morning it was noticed that the enemy were abnormally quiet. Small patrols were immediately sent out on both Company points. These patrols reported that the enemy had withdrawn from his former outpost positions. Three strong patrols were then sent forward with objectives on the ESCAUT. These patrols pushed forward boldly and in spite of slight opposition in the north had by 0700 reached their objective. Orders were then issued for the whole Battalion to move forward to the east of ERE by 0830. Battalion HQ moved to ERE and then on to TOURNAI. Lieutenant-Colonel JB McKaig DSO entered TOURNAI on the heels of the patrols at 0745 and was received by the Burgomaster.
All ranks met with a most enthusiastic reception from the populace. The enemy were located as holding the east bank of the ESCAUT and the Battalion pushed forward and occupied positions as near to the west bank as possible. The enemy was active with machine guns which swept all approaches to the ESCAUT. The inhabitants of TOURNAI rendered considerable assistance to the troops by pointing out the positions of some of these machine guns. Troops on the left now commenced to enter TOURNAI and as soon as a sufficient number had arrived troops of 6 KLR were withdrawn from the positions they were holding inside the town and these positions taken over by troops of 74 Division.
Orders were received about 1000 that the Battalion would cross the ESCAUT that night and preparations were immediately commenced. Men were given as much rest as possible and the hours of daylight were fully employed in reconnoitring approaches and selecting suitable crossing places. Companies during the afternoon moved to positions immediately south of TOURNAI to be in readiness for the crossing when the plan had been definitely decided on. The enemy continued to be active with his machine guns and also shelled TOURNAI with 50-100 4.2s causing some casualties. Preparations for the crossing continued and it was decided to attempt the crossing at 2300. Major GG Blackledge MC established an advanced report centre at the scene of operations and took command of the enterprise on the spot. C Company and HQ details carried up the light bridge and three collapsible boats. At 2300 the enemy was abnormally quiet and the crossing was commenced. No opposition was encountered and before dawn A, B and D Companies were on the east side of the ESCAUT and had established a strong bridgehead position. The first troops to cross were ferried across in the collapsible boats, then a pontoon bridge was thrown across by the Royal Engineers. By dawn the operation was completed. Our advanced troops had pushed forward two kilometres east of the ESCAUT without encountering opposition. Casualties in the whole advance 1 Other Rank killed [ie Rfn Harrison] and 6 Other Ranks wounded.

1911 Census RG14PN22770 RG78PN1333 RD456 SD5 ED16 SN205
John Harrison
Age: 11
Occupation : school boy
Address : 85 Bold St, St Helens - the dwelling had 3 rooms
Estimated Birth Year: 1900
Born : St Helens
Father's Name: William Harrison, 45, out of work labourer in sheet glass works, b. St Helens
Mother's Name: Ann Harrison, 43, b. Prescot
Rebecca Harrison, 22, cullet (glass ready for melting) riggler in glass works, b. St Helens
Ellen Harrison, 18, glass maker, b. St Helens
William Harrison, 14, glass hand, b. St Helens
Ann Jane Harrison, 9, b. St Helens
Mary Harrison, 5, b. St Helens
His parents had been married for 26 years - 6 of their 13 children had survived.

1901 Census Class: RG13; Piece: 3522; Folio: 140; Page: 59.
John T Harrison
Age: 2
Address : 17 Hardy St, St Helens
Estimated birth year: abt 1899
Relation: Son
Father's Name: William Harrison, 34, general labourer, b. St Helens
Mother's Name: Anny Harrison, 34, b. Prescot
Where born: St Helens
Rebecca Harrison 11, b. St Helens
Nelly Harrison 8, b. St Helens
John T Harrison 2, b. St Helens

He is commemorated on the following war memorials:-
St Helens War Memorial
Pilkington Glassworks Roll of Honour (Sheet Works), St Helens

[LindaS]

Brilliant Thanks Joe. Ive only just found out anything about this branch of the family, His sister was my Grandmother who died when my Dad was only 12 so I'd left that branch alone till now. So sad he died just 3 days before the Armistice & so young - only babies.

[Katie]

Check the local papers at St. Helen's Reference Library Linda you may be lucky and get a picture of him or a obituary.

[LindaS]

Thanks Katie. I did think of this this afternoon. Might take a trip there next week.

[Katie]

There are 2 papers The St. Helen's Reporter and the St. Helen's Star. Look in both, I had a look in my index for the Prescot Reporter and he is not there.

[LindaS]

I think it will be the St Helens Reporter. I dont think the Star was around then. From memory I think the other was the St Helens Advertiser

[Katie]

I know there were 2 papers, so look in both. Hope you find a picture of him or even a obituary. Also look in the following year on the Anniversary of his death to see if his family placed a Roll of Honour notice.

[MaryA]

St Helens Newspaper and Advertiser August 1863 - November 1980
St Helens Reporter June 1888 to date

These two appear to be the ones to cover the date you would be interested in and apparently also on microfilm.
http://forum.liverpool-genealogy.org.uk ... newspapers

[LindaS]

Thanks Katie & Mary. That'll keep me busy for a while next week A 2nd cousin of mine (that I didnt know of) got in touch with me a couple of weeks ago - Same Gt Grandparents - with the information. She doesnt live locally so ive been trying to find out what I can for her & myself. Its set me off on this branch of the family now.