George Henry Harrison
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Harrison was born in Nottingham in about 1889. He married Marion (or Maria) Annie Lulham in 1910 (George HW Harrison to Maria A Lulham) and they had two sons, Percy Henry born 1 July 1911 and Harold born 19 March 1914. Marian was born in Nottingham on 10 December 1891 (reg. 1892 J/F/M) and in 1901 was living with her parents James and Susan Lulham at 3 Chapel Street, Nottingham. She had a daughter, Annie Kathleen E Lulham who was born in Lenton on 9 May 1909. In 1911 George, Marion and one-year old Kathleen (surname Harrison) were lodging at 23 Phoenix Street, Sutton in Ashfield, with Luke Lee (40) and his wife Martha (34), both of whom were basket makers. George and Marion were described as 'travelling showmen'. Their first son, Percy, was born later that year and Harold three years later. At the time of George's death in 1915 the family was living at 176 Sherwood Street, Nottingham. His widow was awarded a pension of 15 shillings a week, first payment made 4th April 1917. The record in the pension ledgers names Marion and her three children, Kathleen, Percy and Harold. Marion Harrison married secondly James William Anthony in 1939. James had served before the war in the Territorial Force (Sherwood Foresters) and had voluntered for embodied service on the outbreak of war. However, he had been discharged medically unfit for further miltary service on 24 September 1914. Although Marion and James were married in 1939 it appears they had at least three children before their marriage, Joan G. b. 1927 d. 1939, Eileen b. 1930 and Marion M b. 1932 (birth registrations Anthony, mother's maiden name Lulham). In 1939, when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Marion and James (b. 19 January 1891), a blacksmith striker, were living on Sherwin Street, Nottingham, with James' son William L (b. 25 October 1922, reg. Newport Mon. mother's maiden name Edwards) a chemist and shop assistant. The records of two other members of the household remain closed and are probably those of Eileen and Marian. Both Marian and James died in 1971 (O/N/D Nottingham). George's son Percy Henry was living on Hallam Road, Nottingham, in 1939 with his wife Mary. Percy was working as an undertaker's assistant. Percy died in 2001. Harold has not yet been traced on the 1939 Register, but may have married Marie Wells in 1947 (J/A/S Nottingham). He died in 1987 (O/N/D Nottingham, dob 19 March 1914).
Private George Harrison enlisted at Nottingham on 21st January 1915. He gave his age as 26 yrs and address as 176 Sherwood Street, Nottingham. He served with the Sherwood Foresters Regiment and was attached to the North Midland Divisional Cyclists’ Corps. George was found dead in his billet in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire, on 13th March 1915. He had attended a party hosted by Second Lieutenant Albert Ball at the Railway Hotel, Bishop's Stortford, the previous evening at which food and alcohol had been served. The inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death from asphyxia caused by vomit (partially digested food) lodged in the larynx. (See 'Extra information') He was buried with full military honours in Bishop Stortford Old Cemetery, Hertfordshire.
Report published in the Nottingham Evening News, 16th March 1915. “Debauch & Death “Nottm. Territorial Asphyxiated in his Billet “A SUB-LIEUTENANT’S SUPPER “Private George Harrison, a Nottingham Territorial of the Sherwood Foresters attached to the North Midland Divisional Cyclists’ Corps, who's home is in Sherwood Street North, Nottingham, has met with a sad death at Bishop’s Stortford, where he was quartered. “Second Lieutenant Albert Ball stated that the inquest that he had known the deceased from the time he joined as a recruit two months ago. He was on parade on Saturday from nine a.m. to three p.m., and witness saw him next at 7.30 p.m. at the Railway Hotel, where he gave a supper. The deceased arrived an hour late and appeared excited. Witness thought he had had some drink but not that he was drunk. Deceased made a good supper, and had three whiskies and soda, and two glasses of ale. He did not help himself but witness, who was a teetotaller, poured the “nips” out for him. He appeared all right when they broke up just before nine o’clock, but on getting into the open air he was affected. Witness thought he was too drunk to walk, so sent two men home with him. Witness had never seen him drunk before. If he had thought he was drunk at supper he would have sent him home then. “In reply to Superintendent E. T. Foster, Second Lieutenant Ball said supper was provided by him. The drink consumed was a bottle and a half of whisky, four or five glasses of ale, and a small bottle of champagne. There were seven at the supper. Deceased had no champagne. “Champagne, Whisky and Beer “Corporal William Parkinson said he and deceased went into the town of Bishop’s Stortford at 5 p.m. on Saturday to have a shave. They had a walk and three drinks of ale each and separated at 6 p.m. Witness saw him next at the supper when he was very talkative, which was not unusual. Witness did not remember much afterwards, as “he was in the same boat”. Witness drank the bottle of champagne, three “goes” of whisky, and two glasses of beer. Witness went home first and fell down in his billet. He believed deceased in private life was a coal carter. “Private Frank Robert Hubbard said he was at the supper and saw deceased arrive at 7.30. He was slightly excited, and had had some drink, but he was not drunk. A very little would upset him. Witness assisted him to his billet, as he was unable to stand, and placed him on two palliasses on the floor. He undid his collar and coat. Deceased vomited and afterwards fell asleep. Witness said he was alive at midnight but breathing deeply. At six on Sunday morning witness found he was dead. "Dr. Huxtable said he saw the deceased lying dead on a mattress with a lot of vomit about him. He was cold, and had been dead several hours. Witness had made a post-mortem and found him to be quite healthy. There was a lot of vomit composed of partially digested food lodged in the larynx, asphyxia from which caused death. There were 2½ pints of fluid and food in the stomach, but it did not smell of alcohol, and the appearance of the stomach and liver showed that usually he took very little intoxicating drink. “The Coroner said that he could not help but think that the drink was dealt out rather recklessly at the supper. It would have been well if the lieutenant had been more discreet and wise by refusing drink both to the deceased and the corporal when he saw their condition. He did not think the lieutenant fully realised that this was due to alcohol but he hoped this would be a warning to him. “The foreman said this was due to the inexperience of a young officer who was a teetotaller, and imputed no blame to him. “The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death from asphyxia”. Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, 15 March 1915: ‘Funeral of a Nottingham Territorial. The funeral of Private Geo. Harrison, of the Notts and Derby Territorials, attached to the North Midland Division Cyclists’ Corps who was found dead on Sunday morning, took place in the Bishop Stortford Cemetery yesterday. The deceased was accorded all the honours of a military funeral. The bearers were the comrades of the deceased, a firing party was furnished by the 5th Lincolnshire Regiment (T) and the ‘Last Post’ was sounded by the buglers of the Bishop Stortford Life-Saving Brigade, under Lieut. WJ Day. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack. There were present a detachment of the Herts. Territorial National Reserve, units of the Notts and Derby Regiment and Beds. Regiment.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 16 March 1915: ‘Nottingham Territorial’s Death. An inquest was held at Bishop Stortford yesterday on the body of Pte. George Harrison, of the Sherwood Foresters, attached to the North Midland Divisional Cyclists’ Corps,, whose home is in Sherwood-street, Nottingham. According to the medical evidence Harrison died as the result of asphyxia, and a verdict to this effect was returned.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
