Reginald HARRINGTON DCM

HARRINGTON, Reginald

Service Number: 117
Enlisted: 18 August 1914, 29th Light Horse
Last Rank: Lieutenant
Last Unit: 59th Infantry Battalion
Born: Adelaide, South Australia, 24 October 1888
Home Town: Adelaide, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Bank Clerk from National Bank, Adelaide, SA
Died: Wounds, Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Hampshire, England, 10 June 1918, aged 29 years
Cemetery: Netley Military Cemetery, Hampshire, England
Officers'. 1952 Personal Inscription - DEARLY BELOVED HUSBAND OF EDITH B.HARRINGTON OF ADELAIDE
Memorials: North Adelaide Christ Church Roll of Honour, Wallaroo St Mary The Virgin Anglican Church Memorial Certificate, Wallaroo St Mary's Anglican Church Stained Glass Window, Wallaroo WW1 Roll of Honour
Show Relationships

World War 1 Service

18 Aug 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Corporal, 117, 4th Light Horse Regiment, 29th Light Horse
19 Oct 1914: Involvement Corporal, 117, 4th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wiltshire embarkation_ship_number: A18 public_note: ''
19 Oct 1914: Embarked Corporal, 117, 4th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Wiltshire, Melbourne
13 Aug 1915: Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 4th Light Horse Regiment
1 Nov 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Sergeant, 59th Infantry Battalion
11 Mar 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Company Sergeant Major, 59th Infantry Battalion
27 Aug 1917: Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line and Outpost Villages, “At DELSAUX FARM on the 18th March, 1917 C.S.M. REGINALD HARRINGTON displayed conspicuous bravery, coolness, and devotion to duty, while “B” Company 59th Battalion was advancing to drive the enemy out of DELSAUX FARM, C.S.M. Harrington volunteered to go ahead and reconnoitre the position. He did so and took up a position commanding the best observation, but which was a most exposed and dangerous one. While lying there observing C.S.M. Harrington was wounded, but remained at his post – three hours, afterwards giving extremely valuable information. He was exposed to heavy and accurate machine gun fire and to constant sniping. The action greatly contributed to the success of the operation, which resulted in the position and important documents being captured.”
31 Oct 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 59th Infantry Battalion
19 Mar 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 59th Infantry Battalion
18 Apr 1918: Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 59th Infantry Battalion, Villers-Bretonneux, Gassed (Mustard) DoW England
10 Jun 1918: Involvement Lieutenant, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: awm_unit: 59th Battalion (Infantry) formerly 4th Australian Light Horse awm_rank: Lieutenant awm_died_date: 1918-06-10

Help us honour Reginald Harrington's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Loxton High School

Reginald Harrington was 26 years old when he signed up to join the war.  He started out in the fourth light horse but was later transferred to the 59th battalion.  He was married to Edith Belmont Harrington.  He was 5 foot 11, Had brown hair and had yellowish eyes.  He died on the 10th of June 1918 at Netley Military Hospital.  He was later buried in the Netley Military Cemetery.  

Biography contributed by Sharyn Roberts

Lieutenant R. HARRINGTON, D.C.M., son of Mr. T. B. Harrington, manager of the National Bank, Adelaide, has died of wounds at the front.  
For some time he was accountant of the National Bank, Wallaroo, and he married Miss Edie Chatfield, daughter of Mr. G. Chatfield. Lieutenant
Harrington took a great interest in sport in Wallaroo, and when he left the bank went into business as auctioneer and agent. Mrs. Harrington,
who was born in Wallaroo, has a brother with the Light Horse in Palestine.

Read more...

Biography contributed by Geoffrey Gillon

Died of gas shell wounds, received in France, at Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley. Son of Thomas Benjamin and Emily Mary Harrington, of Adelaide. Husband of Edith B. (Chatfield) Harrington, of 195 Tiffcott St., North Adelaide, South Australia. One daughter.
His brother, Trooper Keith Harrington, #268, 4th Light Horse Regiment, died of shrapnel wound(s) at Gallipoli, Aug 6, 1915.

Biography contributed by Evan Evans

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

Died on this date – 10th June…… Reginald Harrington was born at Adelaide, South Australia on 24th October, 1888.

He married Edith Belmont Chatfield on 27th July, 1912 at the residence of G. Chatfield, Wallaroo. Their marriage was registered in Daly, South Australia. A daughter – Gwendolyn Harrington was born on 22nd February, 1913 at Wallaroo, South Australia.

Reginald Harrington enlisted in Victoria in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 18th August, 1914 as a 26 year old, married, Bank Clerk from National Bank, Adelaide, South Australia
On 19th October, 1914 Corporal Reginald Harrington, Service number 117, & his younger brother - Private Keith Harrington both embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Wiltshire (A18) with the 4th Light Horse Regiment (Divisional) “A” Squadron.

Corporal Reginald Harrington proceeded to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) from Alexandria on 15th May, 1915.

He was promoted to Sergeant on 13th August, 1915 while posted at Gaba Tepe.

On 3rd September, 1915 he reported sick at Anzac. He was transferred to Hospital Ship Neuralia with Catarrh & Posorinsis & disembarked at Malta on 10th September, 1915. Sergeant Harrington embarked from Malta for England on 16th September, 1915 on Hospital Ship Re D’Italia.

He was admitted to the County of London War Hospital, Epsom, England on 8th October, 1915 with Psoriasis & Nasal deflection. He was discharged on 24th February, 1916.

Sergeant Harrington was admitted to the County of London War Hospital, Epsom, England from 19th March, 1916 with Psoriasis. He was discharged on 22nd April, 1916.

On 28th June, 1916 Sergeant Harrington was transferred from No. 2 Command Depot at Monte Video to Perham Downs, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He was taken on strength from Light Horse Details at Park House, Tidworth, Wiltshire on 14th July, 1916.

He was transferred to 2nd Battalion on 11th October, 1916 & proceeded overseas to France from Tidworth from 2nd Battalion on 22nd October, 1916.

Sergeant Harrington was marched in to 1st A.D.B.D. (Australian Divisional Base Depot) at Etaples, France on 23rd October, 1916.

On 1st November, 1916 he was re-allotted & proceeded to join 59th Battalion. He was taken on strength of 59th Battalion in France on 3rd November, 1916.

He was on command to 5th Divisional Training School from 17th November, 1916 & rejoined his Battalion on 24th December, 1916.

Sergeant Harrington was appointed Acting C.S.M. (Company Sergeant Major (a warrant officer) on 5th March, 1917.

Acting C.S.M. Reginald Harrington was promoted to Company Sergeant Major (C.S.M. – warrant officer class 2) on 11th March, 1917 vice 1355 Halligan promoted.

On 18th March, 1917 Company Sergeant Major (C.S.M.) Reginald Harrington was wounded in action. His injury was slight & he returned to duty.

C.S.M. Reginald Harrington, No. 117, 59th Battalion, A.I.F. was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.) on 8th April, 1917. “At DELSAUX FARM on the 18th March, 1917 C.S.M. REGINALD HARRINGTON displayed conspicuous bravery, coolness, and devotion to duty, while “B” Company 59th Battalion was advancing to drive the enemy out of DELSAUX FARM, C.S.M. Harrington volunteered to go ahead and reconnoitre the position. He did so and took up a position commanding the best observation, but which was a most exposed and dangerous one.

While lying there observing C.S.M. Harrington was wounded, but remained at his post – three hours, afterwards giving extremely valuable information. He was exposed to heavy and accurate machine gun fire and to constant sniping.

The action greatly contributed to the success of the operation, which resulted in the position and important documents being captured.”

He was marched out to England from France on 29th May, 1917 for Investiture.

Company Sergeant Major (C.S.M.) Reginald Harrington, 117, 59th Infantry Battalion, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Gazetted in London Gazette – 11 May, 1917 & the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette – 27 August, 1917.

On 17th June, 1917 he rejoined his Battalion from Investiture.

C.S.M. Reginald Harrington was marched out for No. 6 Officers Battalion on 1st July, 1917 & joined No. 6 Officers Cadet Battalion at Oxford, England on 5th July, 1917.

He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on 31st October, 1917 & posted to General Infantry Reinforcements.
2nd Lieutenant Reginald Harrington was marched in to Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire on 10th November, 1917 from Headquarters, London.

He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton on 5th December, 1917 & rejoined 59th Battalion in the Field on 11th December, 1917.

On 25th February, 1918 2nd Lieutenant Reginald Harrington was promoted to Lieutenant.

He reported sick on 19th March, 1918 & was admitted to 14th Australian Field Ambulance with Psoriasis. Lieutenant Harrington was transferred & admitted to the 14th Field Ambulance D.R.S. (Divisional Rest Station). He was transferred & admitted to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 20th March, 1918 & was discharged to duty on 1st April, 1918. He rejoined 59th Battalion on 6th April, 1918.

Lieutenant Reginald Harrington was wounded in action (2nd occasion) – Gassed on 18th April, 1918 at Villers Bretonneux. He was admitted to 2/3 H. C. Field Ambulance on 18th April, 1918 having been gassed (Mustard) then transferred & admitted to 55th Casualty Clearing Station. Lieutenant Harrington was transferred to Ambulance Train 7 on 19th April, 1918 & admitted to 3rd General Hospital at Le Treport on 20th April, 1918. He was listed for transfer to England on 10th May, 1918 & embarked for England on Hospital Ship West Australia on 11th May, 1918.

On 12th May, 1918 he was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Hampshire, England – dangerously ill suffering the effects of gas (shell).

Lieutenant Reginald Harrington died at 3.50 am on 10th June, 1918 at Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Hampshire, England from wounds received in action - Gas poisoning - shell.

He was buried in Netley Military Cemetery, Hampshire, England where 49 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

**Younger brother - Trooper Keith Harrington, 268, 4th Light Horse Regiment. Enlisted on 18th August, 1914 & embarked on 19th October, 1914 with the 4th Light Horse Regiment, along with his brother Reginald Harrington. Died of shrapnel wounds at Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Anzac, Gallipoli on 6th August, 1915, aged 22. Buried Beach Cemetery, Anzac, Gallipoli, Turkey. Plot II.H.8.

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

Read more...