Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Charles Henry Harrison was born on December 12th 1887 in Dubbo, New South Wales (1). He was the son of Robert Harrison and Cecilia Berry, and the oldest to his four siblings: Francis Daniel Harrison, Walter William Rupert Harrison, Hilda Lillian Harrison and Ruby H Harrison(2). Harrisons believed in Methodism. He enrolled at Sydney Technical High School between 1896 and 1898 and he completed all his high school years. He then attended Sydney University. He achieved a Master of Arts from Sydney University and went to Cleveland St SPS Teachers’ College for his teaching degree(3) before enlisting in the Army.

Before enlisting Charles Henry Harrison had previous military experience with 3.5 years 1ALH Lancers, 3.5 years in Senior Cadets, and he was Captain in Senior Cadets Command of High School Companies. He enlisted in the army on the 24th of June 1915 as a Lieutenant in the Infantry Battalion embarking from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A54 Runic on 9 August 1915(4). The Australian Imperial Force's 18th Battalion made a name for itself on the Western Front in World War I by being a valiant and tenacious regiment. It was sent to Gallipoli where it suffered many casualties then it was moved and participated in most of the key battles fought between 1916 and 1918 while serving as a member of the Australian Corps on the Western Front in France and Belgium(6). The Australian-wide battalion, made up of volunteers, experienced the rigours of trench warfare and took part in significant battles including the Battle of Fromelles and the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. The 18th Battalion forged a reputation for bravery and perseverance in the face of heavy fatalities, and it became a lasting symbol of bravery and sacrifice in Australia's military history by the Great War. Harrison AIF records state that he was promoted to Captain of the Staff 17th Brigade 27th June 1916 and was awarded a Military Cross in January 1917. Furthermore, he was Mentioned in Despatches 18th November 1918. After the war ended in October 1919 Harrison was appointed to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in France.

 Harrison's younger brother, Francis Daniel Harrison embarked on the same ship from Sydney, New South Wales, and had previously enlisted just 16 days prior to his older brother Charles Harrison. Charles's other brother Walter Rupert William Harrison embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, as a corporal on board HMAT A66 Uganda on 27 November 1915 Corporal with the unit named Army Service Corps 20, Headquarters. Charles Henry Harrison embarked on the SS Mantua and had returned back to Australia arriving on the 19th of February 1920(1. Finally, getting discharged on the 19th of April 1920.

Just before the war, Charles Henry Harrison married Elizabeth M Mackee, however, just two years later she passed away. After the war, Charles Henry Harrison remarried to Dorothy E Allen. He had obtained a job at his old school as an English teacher at Sydney Technical High School. It is also seen in a written source that he was a deputy principal at Fort Street Boys’ High School.

 Charles Henry Harrison, a Sydney Technical High School old boy was placed on the Honour Board along with all the other soldiers who bravely volunteered in the war and has earned his place in the history of Australian Veterans. He died at the young age of 56 on the  24th of October 1944.