Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Walter Harrison, a boot and shoe trade riveter, born 30th December 1872 in Enderby, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Harrison (nee Spencer, married on the 25th December 1894 in the parish church Enderby), born 28th December 1875 in Enderby. Ernest was born 8th May 1895 in Enderby and was baptised on the 14th July 1895 in the parish church, Enderby, his siblings were, Sydney, born 9th August 1897 and Ronald, born 20th May 1900, both his siblings were born in Enderby, in March 1901 the family home was at John Street, Enderby. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home in Co-operation Street, Enderby, together with his father, a boot and shoe trade riveter, his mother and siblings, Sydney, a press room worker, Ronald, a schoolboy and Kenneth, born 4th January 1909 in Enderby. In 1939 Ernest’s father, a retired boot and shoe trade worker was residing in the family home at 6, Co-operation Street, Enderby, together with his wife, granddaughter, Madeline Harrison, born 26th October 1932 and son Kenneth, a concrete trade worker.
Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 11th December 1915 in Leicester. He gave his full address as Co-operation Street, Enderby, Leicestershire, his age as 20 years and 7 months, his trade or calling as shoe clicker and confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Walter Harrison of Co-operation Street, Enderby, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination that took place on the 28th January 1916 recorded his declared age as 20 years and 7 months and that he was 5 foot 2¾ inches in height, weighed 132 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches. He gave his religion as Primitive Methodist. After attestation on the 11/12/15 in Leicester he was transferred as Private, service number 24839 to the Army Reserve on the 11/12/15. Mobilized on the 28/1/16. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 28/1/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 28/1/16. Transferred to the 2/5th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derby Regiment, and allotted the service number 202051 on the 7/2/16. Appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid) on the 17/2/17. Appointed Lance Corporal (paid) on the 16/4/17. Killed in action, in the field on the 4/5/17.
The following items of Ernest’s personal property were forwarded by the Officer in charge of Territorial Force Records, Lichfield on the 17th August 1917:- 1 disc, letters and photos, 1 religious book, 1 scarf, pocket wallet, post cards, 4 1d stamps, writing pad, envelopes, 2 books of notes on Lewis Gun, 1 holdall containing, spoon, knife and fork and razor, 1 shaving brush, 1 button brush, 1 cap badge, 1 housewife.
A summary of his service records: Total service 1 year 96 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. Ernest was a qualified Lewis Gunner. The following information was provided by Ernest’s mother Mary Ann Harrison on the 31st May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by W. Young, Magistrate, Blaby Road, Enderby on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Walter Harrison of Co-operation Street, Enderby, Leicestershire. Mother of soldier, Mary Ann Harrison of Co-operation Street, Enderby, Leicestershire. Full blood brothers of soldier, Sydney Harrison, age 21 of Co-operation Street, Enderby, Leicestershire. Ronald Harrison, age 19 of Co-operation Street, Enderby, Leicestershire. Kenneth Harrison, age 10 of Co-operation Street, Enderby, Leicestershire. Ernest’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 3 May-17 – The Battalion moved from billets to the places of assembly for attack on MALAKOFF and COLOGNE FARMS as detailed in Appendix I which sets out the objectives in each case.
“B” and “D” Companies carried out the attack on MALAKOFF FARM and “A” and “C” Companies on COLOGNE FARM.
Both objectives in the MALAKOFF FARM attack were captured, the position established in first objective being from L.6.a.45.60 to F.30.c.45.18, and in the second objective, a semi circular trench on the North East side of MALAKOFF FARM.
The enemy barrage in this attack was not very heavy, and the positions were taken with the bayonet and bombing parties, considerable casualties being inflicted on the enemy. Two wounded prisoners were taken, and our casualties were not heavy.
The attack on COLOGNE FARM was unsuccessful, and the assaulting troops were unable to reach the first objective. The enemy barrage here, which opened about 5 minutes after ours, caused a good many casualties to our men in position for the attack in rear of the trench on East edge of QUARRY in L.5.d. As they advanced they came under very heavy Machine Gun and rifle fire, both frontal from the first objective (which had not come under our barrage owing to the short distance between it and the place of accessibility) and enfilade. The gaps which had been cut in evening were covered by Machine Guns from the front as well as enfilade were from supposed strong point at L.6.c.2.6. Only 2 or 3 men out of the 4 attacking waves reached the wire. The enemy barrage on the QUARRY was very heavy, causing casualties in the reserve platoons. The survivors of attacking party withdrew at 12.40am under cover of Machine Gun fire from 2/8th SHERWOOD FORESTERS post at L.5.d.9.4 and support from 178th Brigade TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY. Later they retired to West side of North clay heap in QUARRY and dug cover.
The War Diary records: 4 May-17 – During the day, consolidation of the MALAKOFF FARM positions was carried on under great difficulties. The first objective trench was very shallow and under enfilade fire from North and South.
7.30pm. A message was received from the post East of MALAKOFF FARM that enemy could be seen massing in wood A.26 central, and artillery fire was directed on this wood. At 9 o’clock our S.O.S. went up from MALAKOFF FARM and about this time the enemy put down a very heavy barrage of all varieties of shells, including gas, extending as far back as the ridge in L.9.
9.45pm. Enemy counter-attacked in considerable force (estimated 500) and swept round the right flank of our position. Both the advanced post and the first objective trench were evacuated, the garrison being driven back to the sunken road in L.5.b and L.6.a. As this position was untenable in daylight a retirement was ordered to the switch trench – (the original “jumping – off” place) and this was carried out.
The effective strength of the Battalion on May 3rd prior to the attack was. Officers 35; Other Ranks 739.
The total casualties sustained in the attack and counter-attack were about 150 killed, wounded and missing.
The War Diary records: 5 May-17 – The Battalion returned to billets at HESBECOURT and HERVILLY in support.