Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland

Died on this date – 15th March…… Ralph Swinburne Harrison was born in 1876 at Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England.

According to information provided by his niece for the Roll of Honour – Ralph Harrison came to Australia when he was 7 years old. He attended Bundaberg School, Queensland.

James Harrison, father of Ralph Swinburne Harrison, died on 17th August, 1912 at “Waimui”, Albert Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW. He was buried in Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, NSW on 19th August, 1912 – Mortuary 2, C, Grave 1467.

Hannah Harrison, mother of Ralph Swinburne Harrison, died on 22nd August, 1912 at “Waimui”, Albert Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, NSW. She was buried in Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, NSW on 24th August, 1912 – Mortuary 2, C, Grave 1468.

On 10th May, 1917 Ralph Swinburne Harrison enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) at Horsham, Victoria as a 40 year old, single, Printer from Rose Bay, NSW. His next of kin was listed as his niece – Mrs Maud O’Reilly, 74 Newcastle Street, Rose Bay, NSW.

Private Ralph Swinburne Harrison, Service number 3407, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on HMAT Port Melbourne (A16) on 16th July, 1917 with the 59th Infantry Battalion, 9th Reinforcements.

He was admitted to Ship’s Isolation Ward on 27th July, 1917 with V.D. & was discharged to duty on 20th August, 1917. (Total V.D. Period – 25 days). Private Harrison disembarked at Liverpool, England on 16th September, 1917.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.
He was marched in to 15th Training Battalion at Hurdcott, Wiltshire on 17th September, 1917 from Australia.

Private Harrison was A.W.L. (Absent without Leave) from Codford, Wiltshire on 21st November, 1917 & returned on 22nd November, 1917.

He was written up for a Crime while posted at Codford - A.W.L. (Absent without Leave) from 24.00 hours on 28th December, 1917 to 20.15 hours on 29th December, 1917. He was awarded 7 days confined to Camp by Commanding Officer of 1st Training Battalion & forfeited 1 days pay.

On 8th January, 1918 Private Harrison proceeded overseas to France from 15th Training Battalion. He was marched in to A.I.B.D. (Australian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre, France on 9th January, 1918. Private Harrison was marched out from A.I.B.D. on 11th January, 1918 & was taken on strength of 59th Battalion in the Field on 13th January, 1918.

Private Harrison was detached to 5th Australian Division for duty on Coal Dump from 17th March, 1918 & rejoined his Unit on 25th March, 1918.

He reported sick on 1st May, 1918 & was admitted to 14th Australian Field Ambulance with Trench Fever. He was transferred on 1st May, 1918 to 61st Casualty Clearing Station. Private Harrison was transferred to Ambulance Train & admitted to 18th General Hospital at Camiers, France on 2nd May, 1918 with P.U.O. T. Fever (Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin). He was transferred to 6th Convalescent Depot at Etaples, France on 13th May, 1918. Private Harrison was discharged from 6th Convalescent Depot on 31st May, 1918 & was marched in to A.I.B.D. (Australian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre, France on 2nd June, 1918.

On 5th June, 1918 Private Harrison was written up for a Crime while posted to A.I.B.D. at Rouelles, France – A.W.L. from 9.30 pm to 10.40 pm on 5th June, 1918. He was awarded 10 days confined to Camp & forfeited 14 days pay by Commanding Officer, A.I.B.D. Private Harrison was marched out from A.I.B.D. on 8th June, 1918 & rejoined his Unit in the Field on 11th June, 1918.

Private Ralph Swinburne Harrison was wounded in action on 19th June, 1918. He was admitted to 15th Australian Field Ambulance on 20th June, 1918 with Shrapnel wounds to right Arm, Face, Back & Foot. Private Harrison was transferred & admitted to 20th Casualty Clearing Station on 20th June, 1918 with multiple shrapnel wounds. He was transferred to Ambulance Train 25 on 3rd July, 1918 & was admitted to 14th General Hospital at Wimereux, France on 4th July, 1918 with G.S.W. (gunshot wounds) to Arm, Face, left Foot & Back. Private Harrison embarked for England on Hospital Ship St. Andrew on 7th July, 1918.

He was admitted to Central Military Hospital at Eastbourne, England on 7th July, 1918 with shrapnel wounds to Face (slight). He was transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, England on 8th August, 1918.

On 14th August, 1918 Private Harrison was discharged to furlo until 28th August, 1918 & was then to report to No. 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott.

Private Harrison was admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford, Wiltshire on 30th October, 1918 with V.D. He was discharged to Convalescent Training Depot at Parkhouse, Wiltshire on 1st November, 1918 (Total V.D. Period – 3 days). Private Harrison was marched out from Convalescent Training Depot & marched into No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, Wiltshire on 28th January, 1919.

(Note: Private Harrison’s Casualty Form – Active Service was stamped “Return to Australia per” & written in red then crossed out was "Plassy" (Name of a troopship.)
He was admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire on 11th March, 1919 with Broncho Pneumonia & was reported to be dangerously ill. The Hospital Admissions form recorded: “Acute Broncho pneumonia. Illness began 10.3.19 with pyrexia cough & soon after pain in L side chest. Has had cough for about 3 months. Very ill on admission but not cyanised….”

Private Ralph Swinburne Harrison died at 6 am on 15th March, 1919 at 1st Australian General Hospital, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England from Broncho Pneumonia. A Telegram was sent from 1st Australian General Hospital, Sutton Veny to Administrative Headquarters, London advising of the death of Private R. S. Harrison & that his cousin Mr T. Lodge, High St, Avon House Farm, Yorkshire had been advised.

He was buried in Tidworth Military Cemetery, Wiltshire, England where 172 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/g---ha.html