Photo : Kevin Buckland
Photo © SAWGP
55 Front Street
Jarrow Express Friday 14/09/1900
Newcastle Chronicle Saturday 08/09/1900
In Loving Memory of
John Collinson Harrison
Lieutenant Royal Scots Greys
Younger son of Thomas Elliot Harrison
of Whitburn Co. Durham
Born 9th August 1869,
Died 3rd September 1900. Aged 31.
Of wounds received in action near Belfast,
26th August 1900.
I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.
Be strong and be of a good courage
John Collinson Harrison was born at 55 Front Street, Whitburn, Sunderland on the 9th August 1869. He was the son, and 6th and youngest child of Thomas Elliot Harrison, snr, [born North End, Fulham, London on the 4th April 1808, died 20th March 1888], and Sophia Jane [nee Collinson], [daughter of the Reverend Collinson late of Boldon Colliery.
Thomas Elliot Harrison, snr., married Margaret Adair White, born 1816, and they had one child, she died in 1850.
He then married Sophia Jane Collinson, born 1827 died 1891.
They had six children, Emily born 1861, Thomas Elliot Harrison,* born 1862, Sophie, born 1864, Julie, born 1867 and Katherine born 1869.
* Thomas Elliot, Major, jnr, was born on the 14th June 1862, son of T E Harrison, of Whitburn, Sunderland-on-Wear. He was educated at Eton, and Trinity College, Cambridge, and served in the 1st Dragoons. He is listed in the Harts Army List as being Lieutenant from the 29th August 1885 in the 1st Dragoons. From 1900 to 1902 he served in the South African Campaign, in command of the 4th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10th September 1901]; received the King's and Queen's Medals, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27th September 1901]: "Thomas Elliot Harrison, Major, 4th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 29 October 1901; the Warrant was sent 24 January 1902. He became Lieutenant Colonel Sep 01. In 1898 and 1899 he was Master of the East Galway Hounds. He married, in 1890, Daisy, youngest daughter of William Wright, of Sazelbye Park, Melton Mowbray. Detached patrols were frequently sent out at night to endeavour to surprise the enemy but with small result until the 12th July at daylight Col Harrison with 300 IY was successful in capturing 12 prisoners, 9 carts & 60 horses'. He commanded the Leicester Yeomanry 1911-13. Commanded 1/1 Herts Yeomanry Sept 1914 to Jan 1915 in Egypt. To TA Reserve then Area Commandant France 1917-19. TD LG 17 Dec 1912.
Thomas Elliot Harrison, jnr, son of William Harrson, received his formal education at a grammar school [Kepier Grammar School], in Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham, and served his apprenticeship under William Chapman; he gained engineering experience on the lines his father had helped establish, as well as in working in association with George Stephenson and Robert Stephenson during his early career. In 1850 he became chief engineer of the York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway, and retained that title during the company's amalgamations with other north eastern railway firms, becoming the North Eastern Railway's first chief engineer at its formation in 1854, a position he held until his death in 1888, and was the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, 1873-1874. There is a blue plaque to him. He lived at Whitburn, but during his career would spend five months of the year in London; in later years he gave up the profitable London work, but remained in the service of the NER. Whilst still working for the company he was taken ill on the 20th March 1888 at his home in Whitburn, and died suddenly. Harrison's office remained on Tyneside in Newcastle Central Station, where he was working the day before his death.
In 1871 John and the rest of the family were residing at Castle Hill, Ealing London. By 1881 John is staying with his Father in Law, Thomas Clarke and his family at Brook House, Ealing, London.
John was commissioned on the 5th June 1889 and promoted to lieutenant on the 23rd May 1891. He played polo for the Scots Greys team.
He died of wounds in Pretoria on the 3rd September 1900. Lieutenant Harrison had been wounded previously on the Sunday 26th August 1900 in an action north east of Belfast with General Buller. The photo was taken in 1898.
He has one star rank badge on the shoulder strap of his frockcoat which at that time denoted the rank of lieutenant.
Source : British Empire.
John Collinson Harrison left effects of £55523 15s 1d in his will later adjusted to £55266 10s 5d.
John Collinson Harrison is remembered at Whitburn on W100.05 and the Boer War Roll of Honour.
