HARRISON, Hector John
| Service Number: | 303 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 11 August 1915, Enlisted in Bendigo |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 38th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Bendigo, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Bendigo School of Mines, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Metallurgist |
| Died: | Circumstances of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor, Menzies War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 11 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 303, 38th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted in Bendigo | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 1916: | Involvement Sergeant, 303, 38th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Jun 1916: | Embarked Sergeant, 303, 38th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Melbourne | |
| 18 Apr 1918: | Honoured Military Cross, This officer has been Gas Officer of the Division since its inception: By the skilful dissemination of his knowledge of all kinds of Gas in use, knowledge frequently obtained at considerable risk to himself, under shell-fire and in testing new species of gas, he has ensured that the whole personnel of the Division has been adequately instructed and so has kept the number of Casualties sustained from Gas down to a minimum. Recommended October 5, 1917 Major General John Gellibrand, Third Division AIF. Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57 Date: 18 April 1918 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Jack Coyne
Hector John HARRISON
Military Cross
'This officer has been Gas Officer of the Division since its inception. By the skilful dissemination of his knowledge of all kinds of Gas in use, knowledge frequently obtained at considerable risk to himself, under shell-fire and in testing new species of gas, he has ensured that the whole personnel of the Division has been adequately instructed and so has kept the number of Casualties sustained from Gas down to a minimum.'
Recommended October 5, 1917 Major General John Gellibrand, Third Division AIF.
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57 Date: 18 April 1918
The Bendigonian newspaper published the following report accompanied by photo of Hector Harrison in January 1918:-
‘Mrs. Harrison, of Pike-street, Quarry Hill, Tuesday, received a cable stating that her son, Captain Hector Harrison, who is in France, had been awarded the Military Cross. Captain Harrison left Bendigo as a private about 18 months ago.
Before enlisting he was lecturer in chemistry at the Bendigo School of Mines, and on account of his knowledge of physics he was, on arrival in France, selected from 70 applicants for the position of divisional gas officer. The position entailed amongst other duties the giving of lectures to the men and he also had to superintend the work of releasing gas clouds in the frontlines. Another brother, Captain A. B. Harrison, who is in France was reported wounded last week’. [1]
The Australian War Memorial provides the following description: - ‘Hector John Harrison was born at Bendigo, Victoria in June 1877. He worked as a metallurgist prior to the war, and enlisted in the AIF on 11 August 1915, as a married 38 year old. In April 1916, he embarked as a sergeant (regimental number 303) with A Company, 38 Battalion, but he was soon commissioned and transferred to 37 Battalion. In October 1916, he was transferred to Headquarters, 3rd Australian Division, as Divisional Gas Officer, and he remained in this role for most of the war, serving on the Western Front in France and Belgium. Lieutenant Harrison was awarded the Military Cross in October 1917, the citation reading as follows: 'This Officer has been Gas Officer of the Division since its inception: By the skilful dissemination of his knowledge of all kinds of Gas in use, knowledge which was frequently obtained at considerable risk to himself, under shell-fire and in testing new species of Gas, he has ensured that the whole personnel of the Division has been adequately instructed and so has kept the number of Casualties sustained from Gas down to a minimum.'
In July 1918, Harrison was given the temporary rank of captain, and placed in command of the Australian Corps Gas School. He retained the honorary rank of captain in the reserve of officers after returning to Australia’.[2]
Hector Harrison came from a well-regarded Bendigo family with his father A.W Harrison being the former manager of the Bendigo Gas Company. Hector’s older brother was Arthur Barrowclough HARRISON was a well known Bendigo legal manager and shareholder who became a Lieutenant in the 67th Infantry training brigade based at Bendigo. At age 46, A.B Harrison campaigned strongly with Military Authorities to be given a commission at the front even though he had exceeded the legal age for recruitment of officers. His persistence paid off and he sailed in October 1915.
Hector returned to Australia in late 1919 with his wife.
Following the war in 1919, Hector was granted leave for educational purposes to upgrade skills in Electro Metallurgy at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow and then a further 2 months at Burnside Coy. of London.[3]
AWM - REL3339 Military Cross of Capt H. J Harrison
SERVICE RECORD:
Regimental No. 303
Place of birth: Bendigo Victoria
Religion: Church of England
Occupation: Metallurgist
Address: 76 Russell Street, Quarry Hill, Bendigo,
Marital status: Married
Age at embarkation 38
Next of kin: Wife, Mrs Emily Agnes Harrison, Hyde Park, Dalwallinu, Western Australia
Enlistment date: 11 August 1915
Unit name: 38th Battalion, A Company & 3rd Div HQ (37th Btn) (01/04/16)
Embarked: HMAT A54 Runic on 20 June 1916
Final Rank: Captain
Fate: Returned to Australia 15/11/1919 SS Ormonde with wife.
[1] Bendigonian, January 24, 1918 Page 10 BENDIGO SOLDIER HONORED. AWARDED MILITARY CROSS. [2] https:/www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1098379
[3] NAA Service Record of H J Harrison Page 33.
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