Blaydon Courier 07/05/1921
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Harrison born at Greencroft, County Durham was living at Annfield Plain when WW1 broke out in 1914. He enlisted at Stanley in 1915 assigned to the Durham Light Infantry firstly as Private 10217 1/6th Battalion. The main body of the battalion had left Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station for France, April 19th 1915, he did not join his regiment on the Western Front until 1916 where during his service he was transferred to the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry as Private 270066.
The 18th, a Pals Battalion, in 1915 had been sent to Egypt to defend the Suez Canal from the Turks but was withdrawn in March 1916 and transferred to France as reinforcements in preparation for the commencement of the Battles of the Somme in July 1916. At 7 a.m. the 31st Division attacked with “D” Company of the 18th Battalion D.L.I. at Serre with the remainder of the Durham Pals held in reserve, by 8 a.m. the division had suffered some 2,000 casualties and the remaining Pals were ordered to the front line. They sustained heavy losses, having entered the trenches some 800 strong they suffered almost 500 casualties and 70 dead. At the conclusion of the Battles of the Somme they were ordered to the Arras sector.
Private 270066 Robert Harrison Durham Light Infantry was killed in action May 3rd 1917 during the Battle of Arras. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 34,835 names inscribed on the Arras Memorial within Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery commemorating servicemen from Britain, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the sector April 9th-May 16th 1917 and have no known grave. He was single.
Robert died intestate and leaving no indication of next of kin or to whom the 2 pounds 2 shillings 4 pence owed to him by the Army should be paid. The Records Office, York, requested permission, March 22nd 1922, to dispose of his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Blaydon Courier 07/05/1921 carries:
In proud and loving memory of our dear son, Pte. Robert Harrison, 18th D.L.I., who was killed in action in France, May 3rd 1917. Dearer to memory than words can tell, Are the thoughts of our son we loved so well; Four years have passed, our hearts still sore. As time rolls on we miss him more. Peace be your rest, dear son. ‘Tis sweet to breathe your name. In life we loved you very dear. In death we do the same. Ever remembered by father, mother, sister and brothers and grandmother of 3 Pontop Terrace, Annfield Plain.
Robert Harrison is remembered at Greencroft on G54.01 and G54.02 at Annfield Plain on A38.01, A38.05 and A38.15
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 107
