The death in action is reported of Lieut. Gordon Harrison, which has occurred during the heavy fighting on the Western front. He was the eldest son of Mrs. Harrison, Hinderton-road, Neston, and deep sympathy is felt for her and the other members of the family in their bereavement.
Charles Gordon Harrison’s birth was registered in in West Derby, Lancashire, in late 1894, but it seems he and his family resided in Blundellsands in Merseyside for a time. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as being a pupil at a boarding school. Which school, however, is not made clear.
During the First World War Charles served as part of the South Lancashire Regiment in both its 2nd and 3rd Battalions, and eventually reached the rank of Lieutenant. He was killed in action on 26th September, 1918, listed as having “died of wounds.” He was 24 years old.
In early 1919 Charles was awarded a posthumous Military Cross for his actions leading a raiding party against a nest of German machine guns, mere days before his death.
Gazette Issue 31158 reads:
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the following awards to the mentioned Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field.
Awarded the Military Cross.
On 24th-25th September, 1918, near Wulverghem, he commanded a raiding party with great courage and skill, and attacked a nest of machine guns that was holding up our advance. He captured one gun, disposing of the crew. Any further advance was held up by concentrated machine-gun fire, and he withdrew his men in perfect order to our lines, having successfully accomplished the object with which he started, and obtained information of vital importance.
Wulverghem itself had been captured by Allied forces earlier that month, on 2nd September, and the action in which Charles was killed would have taken place as part of the Hundred Days Offensive.
Two days after Harrison’s death, on 28th September, 1918, the Fifth Battle of Ypres, also known as the Advance of Flanders, began, as the Allies continued their push into Belgium and towards the Hindenburg Line.
Charles Gordon Harrison is buried in Belgium, at the Westoutre British Cemetery.
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