WOI Harrison's Service Record
WO1 Harrison was born on 27 August 1909 and enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) on 30 November 1939 and was posted to the 2/6th Infantry Battalion as a driver. The Battalion deployed to the Middle East on 14 April 1940 and participated in the 6th Division’s advance against the Italians at Bardia and Benghazi in December 1940. On 31 March 1941 the Division withdrew from Libya to Greece where on 28 April 1941 it commenced a retreat to Egypt. WO1 Harrison, now a Corporal, avoided the retreat and escaped in a small boat. He was Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) in recognition of his distinguished service in the Middle East during the period February to July 1941.
2/6th Battalion deployed from Australia to New Guinea in October 1942 and
WO1 Harrison, now a Sergeant, re-joined the Battalion on 10 July 1943 after a
lengthy illness. He was attached to A Company as platoon sergeant of 7 Platoon
where he took part in operations on Sugarcane Ridge and the assault on Komiatum Ridge in August 1943. It was for his actions in these operations that he was awarded the MM. The Battalion returned to Australia in September 1943 and WO1 Harrison left the unit on posting.
WO1 Harrison filled a variety of staff and training appointments between 1945
and July 1948 when he was discharged following the disestablishment of the 2nd AIF. Between July 1948 and December 1949, WO1 Harrison enlisted and served in the Interim Army. On 12 December 1949 he enlisted in the newly created Australian Regular Army (ARA) at the rank of Warrant Officer Class One. On 11 September 1950 he was appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) and deployed with the Battalion to South Korea. From October 1950 to March 1951 the Battalion participated in the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade’s advance into North Korea prior to the entry of the Chinese into the war and the subsequent allied withdrawal to the south. WO1 Harrison left 3 RAR on 9 April 1951 to return to Australia on a ‘compassionate posting’ with his family in Melbourne.
Following a series of postings including to the Australian Army Staff in London, he discharged from the ARA on 5 October 1956. WO1 Harrison passed away on 8 March 1995. For his service in the Army, WO1 Harrison has been awarded the:
• Military Medal;
• Mentioned-In-Dispatches;
• 1939-45 Star;
• Africa Star;
• Pacific Star;
• Defence Medal;
• War Medal 1939-45;
• Australia Service Medal 1939-45;
• Korea Medal;
• United Nations Service Medal (Korea);
• Australian Defence Medal;
• Infantry Combat Badge; and
• Returned from Active Service Badge.
WO1 Harrison’s actions between 3 and 19 August 1943 are summarised in the
official citation for the award of the MM. The citation states:
‘On 3rd August, 1943 Sgt Harrison was commanding 7 Pl. A Coy 2/6 Aust Inf
Bn during their occupation of Sugarcane Ridge in the Komiatum area. The pl.
was heavily shelled and Sgt Harrison left his weapon pit while the area was
still being shelled to carry a wounded man to safety. On 16th August, 1943, during the attack on Komiatum, he showed cool judgement in quickly selecting the main area to hold and in resighting and using an enemy mortar which the pl. had captured. On 18th August, 1943, he entered an enemy underground comd. post and secured two prisoners, killing two others with grenades. On 19th August, 1943 he led a patrol into the jungle nearby. On being fired on he advanced alone and with grenades and SMG killed nine enemy. His work has, at all times, been of a high standard and his coolness and courage an inspiration to his men.’
Submitted 7 October 2023
by Shane Reiche
