Harrison Geoffrey 2/Lt

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Surname: Harrison;

Forename(s): Geoffrey;

Initials: G;

Rank: 2/Lt;

Previous Battalion: 13 of;

Previous Regiment: Hants Regt;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 103 Coy;

How killed: KIA;

Where: France;

When killed: 01-Jul-1916;

Other Data: Memorials to Rugbeians, Vol III Portrait.
Roll of Honour (de Ruvigny) Vol II, Sect 2, p 76: y. son of Bernard Bowles Harrison, by his wife Elisabeth Anne, d of JR Franks of Harwich, JP. Born Sevenoaks 8/4/1896 educated Beechmont Sch and Rugby, and Univ College, Oxford. Joined Public Schools Btn Sept 1914, gazetted 2Lt 12 Hampshire R. 22/12/14 transf to 13 Bn and then to MGC in Jan 1916.Served BEF in F&F from 24 April 1916 and KIA nr Contalmaison 1/7/16. Unmarried.
Photo: GS Archives

Geoffrey Harrison, Second Lieutenant, Machine Gun Corps (Inf), 1st July 1916. Age 20. Son of Bernard Bowles Harrison and Elisabeth Anne Harrison, of "Hurstmead" Pembury Rd. Tunbridge Wells. Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France, IV. G. 6.

Geoffrey Harrison 103 Company MGC
Born in Kippington, nr Sevenoaks and educated at Rugby, where he was in the OTC. Son of Bernard Bowles Harrison of Hurstdale, Sevenoaks, Kent. He originally enlisted in Epsom on 5/10/14 into the Royal Fusils as No 448, age at enlistment 19 years 6 months, under trade or occupation he stated that he held no post. He was posted to 19 Royal Fusils. Height 6' 2", weight 160 lbs, complexion fair, eyes blue, hair blond, religion C of E. Appointed to 13 Hants Regt from 22/12/14 and to MGC from 21/12/15. In July 1917 his father was 59, his mother Elizabeth Anne Harrison was 56, his brother Bernard Guy Harrison was 36 and living at Upway Beer, Devon. Sisters were Winifred Madge Coles aged 29 of Hurstdale, Elsie Drummond aged 27 of Littlehurst, Otford, Kent. (Officers Papers PRO)

Killed 1/7/16. Second son of Mr Bernard Harrison of Sevenoaks. Educated at Rugby and left University College, Oxford on the outbreak of the war to join the Public Schools Bde. Later he was gazetted to the Hampshire Regt and in Jan 1916 was transferred to the MGC and went to the front in April 1915. (The Times 15/7/16)

SECOND LIEUTENANT G. HARRISON
MACHINE GUN CORPS
Geoffrey Harrison was the younger son of Bernard Bowles and Elisabeth Anne Harrison, of Hurstdale, Sevenoaks. He entered the School in 1910 and left, in 19 14, for University College, Oxford. On the outbreak of War he enlisted in the Public Schools Brigade, and obtained a Commission, in December, 1914, in the 12th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment, and later was transferred to the 13th Battalion. In January, 1916, he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, and went to the Front in the following April. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, when he was leading his Section in "No Man's Land," he received a wound in the thigh. He gave instructions to his N.C.O.'s to push on, when a shell burst and killed him. He fell at Contalmaison on July 1st, 1916. Age 20. A brother Officer wrote "He was greatly esteemed and respected both by Officers and men, and there was not a more cheery fellow in the Company." And another wrote "Off parade and in Mess his Classical allusions and quaint phrases kept us in constant good humour to the last. He was everybody's pal. On parade I can only say that his men loved him." Photo (Rugby School Memorial Register)

Death noted in war diary;

Other Notes: HARRISON, Second Lieutenant, GEOFFREY, Machine Gun Corps (Inf). Killed in action 1st July 1916. Age 20. Son of Bernard Bowles Harrison and Elisabeth Anne Harrison, of "Hurstmead" Pembury Rd., Tunbridge Wells. IV. G. 6. Ovillers Military Cemetery - Somme, France.;

Is photo available? Yes, see VMGCRA Patreon

END OF RECORD.

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