MILITARY HISTORY

Private Richard Bruce Harrison — 195458 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

Richard Bruce Harrison was 19 years, 4 months and 13 days old when, as a single man, he was Attested in the Canadian Army (CA), Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in Peterborough, Ontario and was enlisted on January 8, 1915 into the 93rd Canadian Overseas Battalion (Cdn O/S Bn), CEF. Richard Bruce was born in Smith Township, Peterborough County, Ontario on December 28, 1894*. His present address is RR #1, Lakefield, Ontario. He was 5′ 4¾” tall, dark complexion, grey eyes, dark brown hair, weighed 127 pounds and had a 36½” chest (expanded). Richard Bruce gave his occupation as a Farmer and his next-of-kin was his father George C. Harrison, living at RR #1, Lakefield. He indicated that he had no experience with the Militia Force nor the Military Force. Richard Bruce’s Medical Examination was done in Peterborough on January 8, 1915, he had a small mole on the back of his neck and scars on the backs of both Index fingers and had a congenital defect in vision of his right eye due to hyperopia; he was found fit for duty. Then, the same day, he was assigned the Rank of Private (Pte); given Regimental Number 195458 and taken-on-strength to the 93rd Cdn O/S Bn CEF. April 1916 Pte Harrison was required to work on the family farm. On July 1, 1916 Pte Harrison made a Pay Assignment of $20.00, monthly, to his father, George C. Harrison, at RR #1, Lakefield. On July 15, 1916 Pte Harrison embarked the SS Empress of Britain at Halifax, Nova Scotia for England. He disembarked at Liverpool, England on July 25, 1916 with the 93rd Canadian Overseas Bn CEF. July 27, 1916 Pte Harrison indicated that he was not insured. *Actual date is January 10, 1895.

There was a gap of data of about 1 year, 6 months from January 8, 1915 to July 15, 1916 due to no data in his Military File. He would have been training with the 93rd Cdn O/S Bn in Canada. Another gap in Pte Harrison’s Military File, of about 1½ months, would have been utilized for additional training with the 93rd Cdn O/S Bn in England. September 7, 1916 Pte Harrison was struck-off-strength from the 93rd Cdn O/S Bn on transfer to the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (CMR)

[mounted soldiers originally, later used largely as infantry]

at Otterpool, England. September 8, 1916 Pte Harrison was under authority of the Canadian Base Depot (CBD); was taken-on-strength with the 5th CMR Bn and landed in France. September 25, 1916 he left for the 3rd Canadian Constructional Engineers (CCE), Royal Canadian Engineers (RCE). On September 28, 1916 Pte Harrison arrived at the 3rd CCE. On October 2, 1916 Pte Harrison left for his Unit, the 5th CMR Bn, and joined them in the Field.

There was a gap of data for about 11 months while in the Field, it is presumed that Pte Harrison would participate in training and duties at the Front. On August 29, 1917 Pte Harrison proceeded to a Rest Camp. October 8, 1917 he was admitted to a Field Ambulance in the Field. October 12, 1917 Pte Harrison rejoined his Unit in the Field. October 30, 1917 he suffered a Gunshot Wound (GSW) at Passchendaele, France to his left arm and was transferred to a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS); the first Medical Unit (after the Aid Post) for wounded soldiers evacuated from the Front-Lines. The same day he was admitted to the No 11 Canadian Field Ambulance (CFA) and then was then invalided to England. November 3, 1917 Pte was admitted to the Norfolk War General Hospital (NWGH) at Thorpe, Norfolk. Pte Harrison has surgery for his wounds in the NWGH and is transferred to the No 1 Québec Regimental Depot (QRD); a facility in England used to assemble men and to store and administer equipment and materials. November 5, 1917 Pte Harrison is struck-off-strength from the 5th CMR Bn and taken-on-strength with the No 1 QRD at Bramshott, England.

January 4, 1918 Pte Harrison is admitted to the No 4 Canadian General Hospital at Basingstoke, England with a slight GSW to his left arm. January 29, 1918 he was discharged from the CGH; struck-off-strength from the No 1 QRD and taken-on-strength with the 23rd Canadian Reserve Battalion (Cdn Res Bn). April 25, 1918 he is struck-off-strength from the 23rd Cdn Res Bn to the 5th CMR Bn at Bramshott. April 26, 1918 Pte Harrison, now with the Canadian Infantry Depot Battalion (CIBD), is taken-on-strength with the 5th CMR. April 29, 1918 he is then transferred to the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp (CCRC)* and taken-on-strength. May 20, 1918 Pte Harrison leaves for his Unit, the 5th CMR in the Field and joined the Unit on May 21, 1918. August 26, 1918 he is at the No 8 CFA with a shrapnel wound to his nose and then moved to the Casualty Clearing Post (CCP). August 27, 1918 Pte Harrison is admitted to the No 4 Canadian General Hospital at Camiers with a shrapnel wound to his nose. On August 30, 1918 he is admitted to the County of Middlesex War Hospital at Napsbury, St. Albans with a GSW to his nose and the same day he is taken-on-strength to the No 1 QRD from the 5th CMR and is invalided to Bramshott, England. *The CCRC is a centre in France where troops were held before being sent to reinforce existing Units. September 1, 1918 Pte Harrison is admitted to the No 4 Dannes – Camiers General Hospital. September 11, 1918 he was admitted, with a GSW to the right side of his nose, to the Malton Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom. September 11, 1918 Pte Harrison is admitted to the Military Convalescent Hospital (MCH) at Epsom, England. September 20, 1918 he was discharged from the MCH. September 30, 1918 he is struck-off-strength from the No 1 QRD and taken-on-strength to the 23rd Cdn Res Bn at Bramshott. November 17, 1918 he was struck-off-strength from the CIBD and taken-on-strength to the 5th CMR. November 20, 1918 Pte Harrison is taken-on-strength to the 5th CMR from the CIBD and joined his Unit in the Field.

February 13, 1919 Pte Harrison is granted 8 days Leave to the United Kingdom (UK) and proceeded there with a Warrant on Leave. February 27, 1919 Private Richard Bruce Harrison is struck-off-strength from the 5th CMR on proceeding to Canada from Liverpool, England. March 8, 1919 Private Richard Bruce Harrison is taken-on-strength at District Depot (DD) No 4, Montréal, Québec. March 19, 1919 Private Richard Bruce Harrison is struck-off-strength, at the DD No 4, Montréal, Québec, from the Canadian Army due to demobilization.

There is no mention in Private Richard Bruce Harrison’s File with regards to what Military Medals he was eligible to receive or was awarded. Based on his Military Service, he was awarded the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He would have also received the CEF Class “A” War Service Badge.
Private Richard Bruce Harrison’s Medals and Decorations were dispatched to him on October 12, 1922 to RR #1, Lakefield, Ontario.

Richard Bruce Harrison received his War Service Gratuity of $420.00. He would also have received a Clothing Allowance and a Re-habitation Grant.

Private Richard Bruce Harrison served for about: 1 year, 6 months and 20 days in Canada; 1 year, 2 months and 4 days in the United Kingdom; 1 year 4 months and 26 days in France and 22 days Travel Time for a total time of about 4 year, 2 months and 11 days.

An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:

The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?

PERSONAL HISTORY

RICHARD “BRUCE” HARRISON

Richard “Bruce” Harrison was born in Harvey Township on January 10, 1985. He was the son of George Christopher Harrison and Sarah Jane McCall. Bruce received his education in the local schools and helped on the family farm.

On January 8, 1915, Bruce went to Peterborough and enlisted to serve his King and country and was assigned to 93rd Canadian Overseas Battalion and later transferred to the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles. On March 19, 1919 he left the Service and returned home. Sometime later, he went into training to become a Minister and qualified to serve prior to June 22, 1927. Richard Bruce Harrison, Minister married Minnie A. Parks in Napanee, Ontario on June 22, 1927. Minnie was born in 1894 and was a school teacher.

They retired to the Cannington area and Minnie died in 1971 and Reverend Richard Bruce Harrison passed away in 1996; both are buried in Cedar Vale Cemetery in Cannington, Ontario.

THE RICHARD “BRUCE” HARRISON FAMILY OF SMITH TOWNSHIP, PETERBOROUGH COUNTY

Richard “Bruce” Harrison’s paternal grandparents were Richard Harrison born on June 28, 1821 and Jane Adams born on January 5, 1840. They were married on March 20, 1861 in Port Hope, Ontario. They settled on Concession 17 Lot 32 in Smith Township and raised a family of four children: George Christopher; Jose; Clara and Albert “Ross” Harrison. Richard Harrison passed away on August 24, 1897 and Jane Adams died on March 20, 1912; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.

Richard “Bruce” Harrison’s maternal grandparents were Charles McCall born in 1835 in Smith Township and Henrietta “Harriet” Northey was born on January 8, 1837 in Devonshire, England. They were married in 1857 in Bridgenorth and settled in Smith Township. Charles worked as a carpenter and they had a family of ten children – Betsy, Margaret, Mary Jane, William “Henry”, Sarah Jane, Aaron, Charles, Samuel “Alfred”, Harriet and Lillie Patricia McCall. Charles McCall passed away on November 19, 1919 and Henrietta “Harriet” died on October 30, 1924; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.

Richard “Bruce” Harrison’s parents were George Christopher Harrison born on March 15, 1863 and Sarah Jane McCall born on June 7, 1868. They made their home in Harvey Township where George farmed. They had a family of eight children: Charles “Leslie”; Emma Jane; Richard “Bruce”; Harriet G.; Martin Edgerton; Stella; Myrtle and Edna May Harrison. By 1921 George and his wife Sarah were living on Smith Street in Lakefield with their three youngest children: Stella; Myrtle & Edna. George Christopher Harrison passed away on February 13, 1946 and Sarah Jane McCall died on February 15, 1951; both are buried in Sandy Lake Cemetery in Lakehurst, Ontario