Henry R. Harrison

Rank:PrivateNumber:A/1740
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:07th Bn
Name of Rgt or Ship:Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Died:30/07/1915Age:42
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:Belgium
Cemetery or Memorial:Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born during the March quarter 1874 in the Runcorn R.D. - ref: 8a/228, the
son of Samuel & Mary Harrison (nee Rowlands).

1881 Census - Thomas Street, Runcorn, Cheshire.   Son - aged: 7 - Scholar -
born: Runcorn.   Head of household - Samuel Harrison - Married - aged: 47 -
occ: Canal Tonnage Clerk - born: Appleton, Cheshire.   Also - Mary Harrison
- wife - aged: 44 - born: Holyhead, Anglesey.   Plus 1 elsder sister and 2
younger brothers.

1891 Census - Thomas Street, Runcorn, Cheshire.   Son - aged: 17 - occ:
General Labourer - born: Runcorn.   Head of household - Samuel Harrison -
Married - aged: 57 - occ: Clerk at Shipping Office - born: Runcorn,
Cheshire.   Also - Mary Harrison - wife - aged: 53 - born:  Anglesey.  Plus
4 siblings.

1901 Census - No Trace.  His parents were residing at Main Street, Halton.

His father Samuel Harrison, died 09/08/1909 - aged 76 years.  His brother,
Peter Harrison died 02/05/1910 - aged 32.

1911 Census - Grosvenor Square, Ashton upon Mersey.   Son (Listed as Harry
Harrison) - aged: 36 - occ: Ship Painter - born: Runcorn.  Head of
household - Mary Harrison - Widow - aged: 74 - born: Holyhead, Anglesey.

The 7th (Service) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps left Aldershot and
travelled to Folkstone as part of the 41st Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. 
They sailed from Folkestone to Boulogne on the 19th May 1915 and moved by
train to Watten, taking over billets at Millain.  They later moved to Locre
and on the 28th May began instruction under the 46th (North Midland)
Division in the Kemmel Sector.  Moved to La Clytte area at the beginning of
June and and later began tours in trenches at St. Eloi.  They rested at
Ridge Wood, Poperinghe and Vlamertinghe when out of the front line.   The
Battalion moved to the Hooge Sector at the end of June 1915.

On the 30th July 1915, the Germans put their new weapon, the flammenwerfer,
or flamethrower, to devastating use against the Allies at the Battle of
Hooge.  The Battle represented one of the first major employments of the
flamethrower, one of the most feared weapons introduced during World War I.
  Eleven days before the battle, British infantry had captured the
German-occupied village of Hooge by detonating a large mine.   Using the
flamethrowers to great effect, along with machine guns, trench mortars and
hand grenades, the Germans reclaimed their positions penetrating enemy
front lines with ease and pushing the British forces back to their second
trench.   Though few men were lost to actual burns, a British officer
reported later, the weapons had a great demoralising effect, and when added
to the assault of the other powerful weapons, they proved mercilessly
efficient at Hooge.

Commemorated on the private family gravestone in St. Martin's Churchyard   
His mother Mary Harrison died 17/02/1921- aged 85.



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