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2nd Lt. John Harrison VC.
British Army 11th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment
from:Spring Bank, Hull
(d.3rd May 1917)
John Harrison was killed in action on the 3rd of May 1917, aged 26. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery in Arras, France, he was the husband of Mrs. J. Harrison, of 75, Wharncliffe St., Spring Bank, Hull and a former Hull Rugby League Player.
An extract from The London Gazette dated 12th June, 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice in an attack. Owing to darkness and to smoke from the enemy barrage, and from our own, and to the fact that our objective was in a dark wood, it was impossible to see when our barrage had lifted off the enemy front line. Nevertheless, 2nd Lt. Harrison led his company against the enemy trench under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, but was repulsed. Reorganising his command as best he could in No Man's Land, he again attacked in darkness under terrific fire, but with no success. Then, turning round, this gallant officer single-handed made a dash at the machine-gun, hoping to knock out the gun and so save the lives of many of his company. His self-sacrifice and absolute disregard of danger was an inspiring example to all. He is reported missing, believed killed."
