Ernest William Harrison

306317 Private Ernest Harrison enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters in June 1915. He was posted to 2/8th Battalion which saw service in Ireland before eventually going to the Western Front in 1917. The battalion was disbanded on 6 February 1918 as part of the Army reorganization. He was then sent to the 1st battalion, although paperwork lists him as attached to the 1st battalion. On 27 March 1918, the battalion were in support of the front line forward of Vrely. At 2pm, the battalion was ordered forward when an enemy attack put pressure on the 8th Division front. A successful counter attack forced the enemy back and prisoners were taken. The battalion then retired again and took up a position with 23rd Brigade until relieved that night by the 50th Division. Ernest was wounded and captured by the enemy. It is likely he was shot in the upper thigh . On 23 April 1918 Ernest died from a fracture of the upper thigh and he was buried by the enemy in Seboncourt Communal Cemetery. After the armistice, Ernest was re-interred in Premont British Cemetery, grave IV.B.13. Army register of Soldiers effects - Ernest has two - No1 - 27/3/1918, killed in action, £-13s-2d - Man Alive and Prisoner of War; No2 - 23/4/1918. Bohain, - 13/8/1919 - £0-2s-3d and 22/3/1919 - £22.1.8d. Brother sole legate - Fred. International Committee of Red Cross - Prisoner of War records - Harrison Ernest, Pte 306317, 2/8th Notts & Derby Reg, attached 1st battalion; representation - Miss L Rowe, 8 Nevill Grove, Watford, Herts; P.A. 28063 - Totenliste - Harrison Ernest, Pte, 2/8th Sherwood For, Lett: D:kp erkm 306317, Verstorben 27/4/18 (sic), im, Krgs Lam Bohain; PA 28331 - Harrison, E, Nr 306317, Pte, 2/8th Sherwood For, D. Coy, Verst 23.4.18, infolge o'schke fractur, beerdigt auf. d. sold Friedhof zu Bohain Grab 409 ( died 23/4/18, upper thigh fracture, buried in Bohain Military Cemetery , grave 409. Communicated to family 15/10/1918

Soldiers Died in the Great War - Harrison Ernest, born Wellow Green Nottinghamshire, enlisted Mansfield Nottinghamshire, abode Chesterfield Derbyshire, 306317, Private, Died of Wounds, France and Flanders, 23/4/18