Pte 23028 Charles Norton Harrison

• Age: 23
• From: Toxteth, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Charles Norton Harrison was born on 04th October 1892 in Toxteth, Liverpool and was the son of Charles Harrison and his wife Elizabeth (nee Taylor). His father was born in Liverpool, and his mother in Chester; they married in  Liverpool in 1883. Charles junior was baptised at St Clement's Church in Toxteth on 09th November 1892. He was one of five children, his siblings were;  Thomas Fairfield, born in 1884, Florence Edith 1887, William Henry 1891, and younger sister Clara Norton 1896.

The 1901 Census shows the family with five children, living at 36 Maitland Street, Lodge Lane, Liverpool. His father was aged 39, occupation is shown to be a printers compositor, mother was aged 40, and five children; Thomas F. 16 a shipping office boy, Florence E. 13, William H. 9,  Charles is 8 years old, and Clara N. 4. 

By 1911 the family are still living at 36 Maitland Street, Charles is now 18, single and working as a Compositor. His father is 49, still employed as a compositor, his mother is 50. They advise that they have been married for 27 years and have had five children; Thomas is 26, an engineer; Florence, 24, works as a restaurant waitress; William, 19, is a domestic coachman; and Clara, 14, is an apprentice dressmaker.

Charles enlisted in Liverpool on 10th November 1914, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 23028. He gave his age as 22 years and 37 days and his occupation as a compositor. He was described as being five feet three inches tall, weighed 116lbs, 36” chest, with a sallow complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and next of kin his father Charles, 36 Maitland Street. He states that he has completed an apprenticeship with Messrs. Mawdsley & Son (printers and stationers in Castle Street).   

The Typographical Circular, the official organ of the Typographical Association, published the names of new members in March 1914: Charles Norton Harrison, age 21.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

07.11.15: He embarked for France with his battalion.

05.02.16: I.C.T foot admitted 98 Field Ambulance.

08.02.16: I.C.T heel admitted 3 A.F.

26.02.16: Admitted to 21 Casualty Clearing Station then onto General Hospital with septic right heel and then to 2nd Canadian General Hospital

16.3.16 discharged to Convalescent Depot, Rouen

18.3.16 to 30th I.B.D.Etaples, Class A

14.4.16 proceeded to join No.2 Entrenching Bn.

26.5.16 proceeded to join 20th Bn. K.L.R.

29.5.16 joined 20th Bn.

Charles was killed in action on the 30^th July 1916, aged 23, in the attack on the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive.

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July.

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.  

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. We can only assume that his burial place, referred to by the O/C of the 56th Division, was subsequently lost or destroyed in further fighting. The report was sent after the liberation of the village so it is possible that Charles maybe buried in one of the unknown soldiers graves at Guillemont Road Cemetery. However, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Charlie's death came just a few short months after the death of his brother William in February 1916, aged 24.

He earned his three medals.

His Army pay and a War Gratuity of £7-10s went to his father.

His mother was awarded a pension of 8/6d a week from June 1917.

His family paid tribute to Charles in the Liverpool Echo on 30th July 1917, under the heading, “Lost at Battle of Guillemont”:

“In affectionate memory of Charles Norton (Charlie) Harrison (4th Pals), reported killed in action July 30, 1916, aged 24 years.

His country’s honour was his goal;

Patient, unswerving, brave,

His mind, his heart, his work, his soul –

His very all – he gave.

- Ever remembered by Father, Mother, Sisters, and Brother, 36, Maitland Street.”

His family placed an In Memoriam notice in the Liverpool Echo on the anniversary of William's death in 1918:

"In loving memory of William Henry Harrison, who died February 6, 1916, aged 24 years; also Charles Norton, brother of the above, reported killed in action July 30, 1916, in his 24th year. (San changer.) - Sadly missed and ever remembered by Father, Mother, and Sisters, 36, Maitland Street, Liverpool."

Charles was also remembered on the second anniversary of his death in 1918: 

"In loving remembrance of Charles Norton Harrison, 4th Pals, reported killed in action July 30, 1916. (Our Hero; always in our thoughts.) - Father, Mother, Sisters, 36, Maitland Street, Liverpool." 

"In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Charles N. Harrison (Pals), killed in action, July 30, 1916. - His Brother Tom."

In 1919 his parents were still at 36 Maitland Street with Florence, 31, and Clara, 22.  Thomas, 34, was married and lived in Dorothy Street.

Charles is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall on Panel 57.

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