Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Ernest Harrison, one of 9 children, was the 2nd born of 4 sons and had 3 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father John Harrison was born circa 1856 at Cornsay and married in the district of Lanchester in 1878 to Catherine Ann Fawell of Sunderland, born circa 1859, both in County Durham. In 1881 they were living at Stable House, Cornsay, with their 2 children, Mary Ann aged 2 and 3-month old John Robert, where John was a farm hand. Ten years later they had moved a short distance to 6, Stable Row, John was now employed at the colliery and his wife had given birth to William in 1883, Isabella 1888 and Sarah Jane 1890. Ernest Edward born in 1892 was the last of their children born at Cornsay before they transferred to Wilks Hill, Quebec, for the birth Lily and George Henry and Edith in 1895, 1900 and 1901 respectively. John Snr now a coke filler had been joined at the coke ovens by his son John Robert (19). Only Edward Ernest (18), George (11) and Edith (6) were living at home with their parents in 1911, Edward Ernest had found employment as a coal miner/labourer at the colliery above ground.
When war was declared with Germany, August 4th 1914, Ernest Edward was 22 years of age, however he did not enlist until June 24th 1916, assigned as Private 40251 he was posted to the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, part of the coastal defences at Seaham Harbour. The men not only protected the coastal areas but were also trained for active service and were regularly drafted to the front as and where needed. Private Harrison was married at the parish church, Dalton-le-Dale, April 25th 1917, to Elizabeth Ethel Clasper, born 1895 at Easington, County Durham. Within months he was mobilised, posted to the 14th Platoon, ‘D’ Coy, 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, he departed with his regiment, October 18th 1917, leaving his wife pregnant with their first child. He joined his regiment attached to the 6th Division on the Somme then ordered, November 20th 1917, after months of trench warfare to advance at Cambrai, however, a German counterattack pushed them back with heavy losses. March 21st 1918 after a bombardment of gas, explosives and shrapnel shells the Germans once again attacked on the Somme front. The 2nd Battalion was the only D.L.I. battalion in the zone and within 36 hours had been overrun with only 60 men escaping death, wounding or capture.
Reported as missing March 21st 1918 his wife was informed. Elizabeth Ethel sent a self-addressed envelope to the Records Office after several month requesting any news of her husband but nothing was forthcoming. After extensive investigations as to his whereabouts he was struck off in early 1919, the War Office declaring him dead due to passage of time, presumed date of death, March 21st 1918.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 34,817 names inscribed on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France which stands within Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. The memorial commemorates servicemen from Britain, South Africa and New Zealand, who have no known grave.
Private Edward Ernest Harrison was 26 years of age.
Elizabeth Ethel had given birth to their son, January 6th 1918, whom she named John George in honour of her father. She received all monies due to her husband, a pension of 20 shillings 5 pence a week for herself and their child and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her home address of 18, Salisbury Place, Murton Colliery, County Durham.
Elizabeth Ethel Harrison nee Clasper did not remarry, she died during the 4th quarter 1967 in the district of Sunderland aged 72 years. Their son John George Harrison died aged 71 years in 1989, registered in the district of Northumberland West.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Edward Ernest Harrison is remembered at Quebec on Q2.05
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 55
