Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles William Harrison, a carrier and carter, born 1873 in Eaton, Leicestershire and his wife Martha Elizabeth Harrison (nee George, married in the 3rd quarter of 1896 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1872 in Branston, Leicestershire. William Arthur was born in the 3rd quarter of 1897 in Eaton and was baptised on the 7th August 1897 Eaton Parish Church, he had one sibling, Charles Cecil, born 22nd September 1898 in Eaton and who was baptised on the 9th October 1898 in Eaton Parish Church, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Road, Eaton. In April 1911 William was employed as an assistant carrier and was residing in the family home at Eaton, together with his father, a market carrier and coal carter, his mother and siblings, Charles, a schoolboy, Walter, a schoolboy, born 1902, Herbert, a schoolboy, born 1904 and Mary Elizabeth, born 1908, the latter three siblings were all born in Eaton. Before the war William was in remount service at York, and was posted missing on the 21st March 1918 and died while a Prisoner of War in Limberg, Germany, he was awarded the British War and Victory medals. His younger brother Charles Cecil fell in action in March 1918.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-18 – U.25.b.55.25. Enemy attacked. His barrage opened about 5.00 am and was very intense – particularly on the Support, reserve lines and BUNHILL ROW. It consisted of High Explosive and Gas. The initial casualties on account of this were heavy.
11.00 am. The right forward Company formed a defensive flank as the Battalion on our right had been forced back. Two platoons of the Reserve Company were sent to extend the flank West-ward.
11.30 am. Two rifle grenade sections of the Reserve Company were sent forward to assist the forward Company.
1.00 pm. 162nd LIGHT TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY section reported that the enemy were in ECOUST. One Company 25th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS were ordered to extend the defensive flank West-ward along the ECOUST SWITCH. Battalion Headquarters moved to left Battalion Headquarters at U.25.a.60.60.
U.25.a.60.60. 1.30 pm. The enemy gained a footing in the front line of the right forward Company as far North as GOG – and endeavoured to work North-ward but was held up.
3.00 pm. The enemy was reported to be on the HOGS BACK. Two Companies 25th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS were immediately ordered by Brigade to counter-attack.
4.00 pm. The enemy was seen advancing on the HOGS BACK towards CROISILLES.
5.00 pm. The enemy was seen gathering on the West side of the Railway bank between U.25.00.90 and U.24.d.55.60. The left Company practically intact and the remainder of the three other Companies made a fighting retirement North-wards onto a line from FACTORY AVENUE to CROISILLES SWITH NORTH. When the enemy were seen on three sides. Three Lewis Guns and the Headquarters personnel of 22nd NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, 23rd NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS and 25th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS made a temporary redoubt of Battalion Headquarters whilst all documents were burnt – and then a fighting retirement was effected North-wards.
Casualties:
Killed: Lieutenant Colonel S. ACKTON.
Missing: Captain BROWN, G. A., 2nd Lieutenant DAVIDSON, H., 2nd Lieutenant BEALES, G. R., 2nd Lieutenant CARTER, A. E., 2nd Lieutenant GRANT, J H., 2nd Lieutenant PEACOCK, B., 2nd Lieutenant ROBINSON, J., 2nd Lieutenant HENRY, H., 2nd Lieutenant OLIVER, F. G., Lieutenant FAULDER, J. H., Lieutenant BEGG, A. J. B.
Wounded: Captain BIBBY, D. H., 2nd Lieutenant ANDERSON, C. S., 2nd Lieutenant MOORE, W. B., 2nd Lieutenant LEAH, A. C., 2nd Lieutenant GALTON, R. D., Captain COGAN, C. J. S.
Other Ranks: Missing, 446. Killed, 30. Wounded, 69. Total 545.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 – The remains of the Battalion together with parties of 23rd NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS and 25th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS, “J” Company ROYAL ENGINEERS and 102nd PIONEER COMPANY held the CROISILLES SWITCH NORTH. The enemy attempted to enter this trench North of ST. LEGER. In the afternoon the enemy entered ST. LEGER and flank fighting ensued. The Battalion was relieved at night and returned to billets at MOYENVILLE.
On Friday May 3rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “EATON.” – TWO BROTHERS KILLED. – We regret to state that Mr. Charles Harrison, carrier, coal dealer, etc., of Eaton, has recently received bad news respecting his two soldier sons. A letter from the Infantry Record Office, Lichfield, dated 19th April, states that Pte. Charles Cecil Harrison, of the South Staffs., has been killed in action, date not stated, in the field. Another from the Infantry Record Office, York, dated 22nd April, notified that Corpl. William Harrison, Northumberland Fusiliers, has been posted as missing since 21st March. William aged 20, was the eldest son of Mr. Charles Harrison, and left home about three years ago to work in the Remount Service at York. He afterwards became a driver in the R.E., and transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers about 18 months ago. He went to France in December, 1916. Charles Cecil aged 19, the second son, joined up in March, 1917, and went over to France last October.