Sgt 19793 John Harrison (MM)

• Age: 30
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 21st July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

John was born on 12th August 1886 the eldest of 10 children born to John  Harrison and his wife Jane (nee Lyons). They married on 14th October 1885. 

John's siblings were: Elizabeth, Jane, Susan, Margaret, William, Robert and Peter. Two siblings died in infancy, they were Geoerge and Albert. 

John was also raised with his half siblings Mary Ann and Thomas from his fathers previous marriage. 

The1891 Census shows the family living at 234 Arlington Street, Kirkdale and his father is a Dock Labourer.

By 1901 the family are living at 70 Beatrice Street, Bootle. John is employed at a Tobacco works.

John married Alice Wright at St Polycarp Church, Everton on 16th October 1908. They had four children, June born 1909, John born 1911, sadly died in May 1917, Alice born 1913 and Elizabeth born 26/08/1917 just days after John had been killed in action.

The 1911 Census shows the family living in court housing at Torr Street, Everton where John's employment is as a Seaman.

John enlisted in the 13th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment, as Private 19793, on 11th September 1914 giving his age as 28 years and 30 days and occupation as a seaman. He is described as being 5'6 inches tall, weighing 132lbs with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England. He was a size eight boot, hat size 6 7/8", inside leg 37" and outside leg 41". He was previously "time expired" 4th V.B, KLR.

He had previously served in Boer War as Private 5496 4th Battalion KLR,and  received the Cape Colony and Transvaal clasps in 1902.

His service records show sickness at Cambridge Hospital from 12th June 1915 to 14th July 1915 (33 days) with hernia

Posted from 13th Battalion, KLR on 06th May 1916

He was wounded on 02nd July 1916 with GSW to left leg, to Field Ambulance, then Conv. Camp, then 1st A.G.H and Base Depot.

Granted good conduct Badge 1st Sept 1916.

Rejoined Unit 14th Sept 1916.

On 16th November 1916 John was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He was granted leave and returned home from 07th December - 16th December 1916. He was promoted to Corporal on 08th March 1917. He was granted further leave home from 04th - 13th June 1917 which was in the immediate aftermath of the death of his son John who was just 5 years old and is buried in Everton Cemetery.

John returned to duty as Serjeant with the 19th Battalion and was killed in action on 21/07/1917. His body was not recovered from the battlefield and his name is on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres in Belgium. 

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

His award of the Military Medal was acknowledged in Liverpool Daily Post on 17th November 1916

19793 L-Corpl. J. Harrison, Liverpool Regt.

John's death came just two months after his sons death and just weeks before the birth of his daughter Elizabeth. We can only imagine the pain of his wife Alice. 

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his widow Alice and children Jane, Alice and Elizabeth.

Personal property sent to hs wife Alice, 30 Severn Street, Everton.

Alice was awarded a pension of 28 shillings and nine pence. She remarried in 1920 to John McDermott.

We currently have no further information on John Harrison. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.