Edward HARRISON

Regimental number6139
Place of birthNewry, Victoria
SchoolMaffra State School, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressMaffra Post Office, Maffra, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 7.5"
Weight161 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Mary Harrison, Maffra Post Office, Maffra, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date10 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name14th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/31/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on 1 August 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLance Sergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll14th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 29 September 1917

FateKilled in Action 16 June 1918
Age at death27
Age at death from cemetery records27
Place of burialVillers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery (Plot XI, Row F, Grave No. I), Fouilloy, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
72
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: William and Mary HARRISON, Maffra, Victoria
Medals

Military Medal

'During the operations near ZONNEBEKE on the 26th September, 1917, Corporal HARRISON displayed great courage. He acted as an observer during the enemy counter attacks and in this capacity he worked intelligently at great personal risk and rendered concise and valuable report. Several times during counter attack when the trench was broken by shell fire he maintained connection with flank Units by taking messages across shell swept areas.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1919

Family/military connectionsBrother: 3844 Pte Frederick HARRISON, 22nd Bn, returned to Australia, 25 November 1917.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Melbourne, 1 August 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 25 September 1916. Found guilty at sea, 2 September 1916, of (1) absent without leave, 10.30 am, 29 August, ti;; 7.30 am, 30 August 1916; (2) Disobeying the order of an NCO breaking away from ranks: awarded 168 hours' detention, and forfeited 9 days' pay.

Proceeded overseas to France, 5 December 1916. Admitted to 51st General Hospital, Etaples, 13 December 1916; discharged to 4th Australian Division Base depot, 18 January 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 37 days. Found guilty, 6 February 1917, of breaking out of camp and trespassing on cultivated land, 4 February 1917: forfeited 2 days' pay.

Taken on strength, 14th Bn, 16 February 1917.

Admitted to 13th Australian field Ambulance, 15 March 1917, and transferred to Corps Scabies Hospital; rejoined unit, 2 April 1917.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 23 August 1917.

Awarded Military Medal.

Appointed Lance Sergeant, 10 February 1918.

Killed in action (shell fire), France, 16 June 1918.

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal