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South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Corporal 65643 William Henry HARRISON - 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Wednesday 24th April 1918 aged 35

Military History
     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Ploegsteert Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
6 Jan 1916 in France ~ Hockley Heath Church
    Hockley Heath War Memorial 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted  
German Spring Offensive 4 Jan 1915 in Stratford-on-avon  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials  
Boereserve Pte 25137 King's Liverpool Regiment  
     

Previous Service History

  • 05 Jul 1904 - Enlisted in Worcestershire Regiment
  • Jan 1905 - Transferred to King's Liverpool Regiment
  • 1909 - Discharged by payment
  • 4 Jan 1915 - Pte 25137 King's Liverpool Regiment
  • 6 Feb 1916 - Promoted to L/Corporal
  • 9 Mar 1916 - Appointed Corporal
  • 28 Jun 1916 - Promoted to L/Sergeant (unpaid)
  • 16 Jul 1916 - Wounded by shrapnel - invalided home
  • 15 Jan 1918 - Reverted to Corporal and posted back to France
  • 23 Jan 1918 - Joined 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment

Circumstances of Death

William, known as Harry, is listed as being killed in action on 24th April 1918. The very brief 1st Battalion war diary entries for the 23rd, 24th & 25th April are transcribed below.

Boereserve- 23rd April: 2 Coys wiring at night. Gas shelled at 11pm.

Boereserve- 24th April: Battalion area heavily gas shelled from 11pm to 3.30am.

Capt & Adjt G.H. MacLean MC wounded (slight); 2nd Lt S.V. Laws wounded (badly); Lieut G.R. Troughton-Dean gassed; 2nd Lieut E.G. Hinson gassed. Casualties heavy from gas. Lieut G.M. Smith wounded. Bn moved into trenches in front of wood. Headquarters remaining on edge of wood.

Boereserve- 25th April: Bn in trenches in front of wood.

1st Bedfords and 12th Glosters attack enemy trenches at 9.30pm. 2 Coys wiring in support.
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
20 Feb 1883 at the Union Workshouse, Solihull 22 Apr 1883 at St Alphege, Solihull
   
Parents Names Abode
Jane Harrison Not known
   
Wife and Marriage Children
Emily Jane Harrison nee Hooker (died 1917) William Henry born 14 Dec 1911  |  Frederick born 4 Apr 1913
22 Oct 1910 at Nuthurst, Hockley Heath Reginald born 28 Oct 1918
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1883 - Union Workshouse, Solihull  1891 - Scholar
1891 - High Street, Solihull (Grandparents) 1901 - Domestic Gardener
1901 - Drury Lane, Solihull (Uncle) 1904 - Bragg Brothers, builders, Solihull
1910 - School Lane, Hockley Heath 1904 - Solider in Worcestershire Regiment
1911 - Mill Lane, Solihull 1911 - Cab driver in Solihull
1915 - School Lane, Hockley Heath 1915 - Labourer
   
  • Known as Harry
  • William's father is not recorded in the birth or baptism records
  • William's mother Jane was a Domestic Servant at the time of his birth and, in the records, disappears from his life
  • William was raised by this Grandparents and Maternal Uncle
  • Emily, William's wife is noted as being deceased on his Pension card

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