George Henry Harrison was born in Stockton-on-Tees. His father was John Harrison (a miner) and his mother Pheobe Harrison nee Marshall. John and Pheobe had married in Bradford in 1875.
In 1881 George Hy. Harrison (4), was living with his mother Pheobe Harrison (26), Occupation Shirt Machinist, and his brother John W. Harrison (6) at 21, Bolton Place, Bradford, Yorkshire. Also living in the household were George’s grandmother Mary Marshall (58) and two other relatives Richard Pollard (12) and Elizabeth Fawcett (29).
George Henry Harrison (25) married Clara Hobson on the 20th August 1904 at St. James Church, Bradford, Yorkshire.
In 1911, George Henry Harrison (34) Occupation Bill Poster Palace Theatre, Born Norton*, Durham, was living with his wife Clara (29) and son John (5) at 7, Butterfield Terrace, Bradford. (* Norton, also known as Norton-on-Tees, is a market town in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees, in County Durham, England.)
George Henry Harrison (37) enlisted into the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on the 15th August 1914, at Preston. He had previously served in the 3rd West Riding Regiment (Time expired) and was still serving in the Militia.
Information from Service Records: L.N.Lancs. 3 Attested Posted Pte. From 10.8.14 To 21.9.14 “ 1st Batt. Posted Pte. From 22.9.14 To 26.11.14 “ Depot Posted Pte. From 27.11.14 To 30.1.15
Military History: Home From 10.8.14 To 21.9.14 France From 22.9.14 To 26.11.14 Home From 27.11.14 To 30.1.15
Medical Report: (Compiled 10th January 1915) Disability Gunshot wound of neck and jaw Date of origin of disability 8th November 1914 Place of origin of disability Ypres …essential facts… He states that :- 'While charging with the bayonet a shrapnel bullet struck him on the right jaw, passed through the back of the tongue and lodged in the neck just below the angle of the left lower jaw bone. He vomited blood, then fainted & was carried to the road side & then taken to hospital. He went to Boulogne & Rouen where the bullet was extracted. He was there 3 weeks then was sent to Manchester.' …causation of disability. Bullet Wound …caused by… Active service …present condition…There is a scar over right ?, another on left side of neck. He cannot open his mouth more than half an inch and this interferes with his chewing. He cannot put out his tongue beyond his lips. There is loss of sensation over the skin of the chin. Massage and passive movement of the jaw has been tried without success. …caused… In action… on field service…on duty …operation performed?... Yes,
Discharged 30th January 1915 as being no longer physically fit for War Service.
Medical Report: (Compiled 27th November 1916 at Bradford War Hospital) Disability Phthisis Date of origin of disability February 1916, Place of origin of disability England …essential facts… Commenced with cough – 3 months afterwards started to spit phlegm- about 5 months ago he began to lose weight – which has continued till now. …causation of disability. Infection by tubercle bacillus. …caused by active service… Not caused …present condition…T.B. in abundance.
Private George Harrison was awarded the 1914 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
The First Battle of Ypres (19th October – 22nd November 1914) was a turning point in the fighting on the Western Front. Mobile fighting waned and both sides were now locked into trench warfare around the Belgian town of Ypres.
The following newspaper article ‘A Splendid Feat’ from the Leeds Mercury (November 1914) describes the contribution made at this time by the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
Private George Harrison, who died on the 7th December 1917 is buried in Bowling Cemetery, Bradford, West Yorkshire (Grave Reference X. 838).
As the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s ‘Eyes On Hands On’ volunteer with responsibility for Bradford (Bowling) Cemetery I was always interested in the ‘stories’ of the WW1 soldiers whose headstones I looked after. Having been born and brought up in the nearby area, many of the names I came across seemed familiar to my childhood and I was interested to know more about who they were. The C.W.G.C. ‘For Evermore’ online archive gives me the opportunity to share my research into their lives.
We Will Remember Them...
• Ancestry U.K.
• The British Newspaper Archives
• C.W.G.C.
• David Whithorn
• Wikipedia
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