John Harrison "Jack"

In April 1914, Hull F.C. lifted the Northern Union Challenge Cup at Halifax with a 6–0 victory over Wakefield Trinity, with John “Jack” Harrison among the try scorers. Born in Hull on 12 November 1890, the son of John and Charlotte Harrison, he grew up in a family connected with the city’s shipbuilding industry; his father worked as a boilermaker and plater at Earles’ Shipbuilding Yard. Harrison attended Craven Street School before training as a teacher at St John’s College, York, where he also distinguished himself in athletics and rugby. After completing his teacher training in 1912, he returned to Hull and became an assistant master at the council-run Lime Street School. His rugby league career developed alongside his teaching work. With Hull F.C. he became a prolific try scorer, recording a club-record 52 tries in the 1914–15 season and 106 tries in 116 appearances overall. Hull History Centre Harrison married Lillian Ellis in September 1914, and their son, Jackie, was born on 29 June 1915. His position as a teacher was treated locally as protected employment, and Hull History Centre records that he was registered at Lime Street School as “Attested” under Defence of the Realm Regulation No. 41a, indicating that he was fit and had undertaken to serve when called upon. On 4 November 1915 he joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps and later trained at Berkhamsted. He was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the East Yorkshire Regiment in August 1916 and was posted to 6 Platoon, 11th (Service) Battalion, known as the Hull Tradesmen. He joined the battalion in France in September 1916 while it was serving near Hébuterne. Hull History Centre On 25 February 1917, Harrison led a patrol into no man’s land during operations near the German positions. His conduct brought him the Military Cross. The citation published in the London Gazette stated: “Temp. 2nd Lt. John Harrison, E. York. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He handled his platoon with great courage and skill, reached his objective under the most trying conditions, and captured a prisoner. He set a splendid example throughout.”

The action is dated to 25 February by the Hull History Centre and specialist regimental research, while the award itself was announced in the London Gazette in April 1917. Hull History Centre During the Battle of Arras, the 31st Division was ordered to attack the German positions around Oppy Wood during the Third Battle of the Scarpe. In the early hours of 3 May 1917, the 11th East Yorkshire Regiment advanced through darkness and smoke toward strongly defended enemy trenches. The confused conditions made it difficult to determine when the supporting barrage had lifted from the German front line. Harrison led his company against the position under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, but the attack was driven back. He reorganised his men in no man’s land and led a second assault, which was also stopped by heavy fire. He then turned toward the machine-gun position and made a single-handed dash in an attempt to silence it and save the lives of his men. The Gazette Harrison was killed during the assault at the age of twenty-six. His body was never recovered, and he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation, published in the London Gazette, recorded: “T/2nd Lt. John Harrison, M.C., E. York. R. 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.)”