William Harrison
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Harrison was born in 1891 in Sneinton and was the son of Joseph a brewer and his first wife Mary Jane Harrison née Metcalf. His father Joseph was born in 1856 in Nottingham and his mother Mary Jane Metcalf in 1857 in Nottingham. They were married on 27th November 1875, their marriage was recorded in the Radford Registration district. They went on to have the following children all of whom were born in Sneinton; Henry b1882, Jonathon b1885, John b1886, Mary Ann b1887, Joseph b1889, William b1891, Frank b1893, Elizabeth b1894 and Lizzie b1896. It would appear that he separated from his wife Mary Jane (who died in 1903 aged 46 yrs) and married on 25th January 1896 his second wife Ellen Morledge b1859. They went on to have two further children George Edward b1897-died 1897 and Sarah Ellen (Nellie) b1900. His second wife Ellen died in 1904 in Nottingham she was 46 yrs of age. In the 1911 census his family are living at 75 Henry Street, Sneinton, and are shown as Joseph 55 yrs head of the family, widower and a brewer; he is living with his son Joseph 22 yrs a printer, Lizzie 15 yrs a hosiery finisher and Nellie 11 yrs a scholar.
William Harrison was probably a special reservist and he was listed as 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). He entered theatre on 11 November 1914. This is likely to have been with the 1st Battalion and he was listed as a Sergeant. On 30th January 1917, the battalion were in the Bouchevesnes sector of the line and William was one of two men killed that day. The war diary for the day: "Still very cold, some snow fell at intervals during the day. A few shells fell on Argile A V, and on front line causing a few casualties. Inter - Coy relief at night, B and D going up to relieve A and C who go back to Andover. William was buried in the Combles Communal Cemetery Extension, grave II. H. 13.
Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Although at rest he will never be forgotten by his father brothers and sisters' In memoriam published 30th January 1920 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HARRISON. – In loving memory of my dear son, and our ever loving brother, Private (late sergeant) William Harrison, 1st Sherwood Foresters, who was killed in action January 30th, 1917. Ever remembered by dad, Harry, Edith, Jack, Polly, Ernest, Joe, Louie, Lizzie and Nellie. Also Willie Harrison, who died January 29th, 1919. – From his loving mother.” Above in memoriam is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 .
