Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant J. F. Harrison, 5th Divisional Signal Company, Australian Engineers, Australian Imperial Force, for gallantry at Corbie, 24 April 1918, during which time he was gassed, and originally recommended for the D.C.M. Harrison subsequently received gunshot wounds to the thigh and face, 13 May 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1855 Sjt: J. F. Harrison. 5/D.S. Coy. Aust: E.); 1914-15 Star (1855 Spr. J. F. Harrison. 3. Sig. Coy. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1855 Sjt. J. F. Harrison 3 Sig Coy. A.I.F.) mounted for wear, lacquered, generally very fine (4) £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 29 August 1918. The original recommendation (for a D.C.M.) states:

‘For devotion to duty and courage. Sgt. Harrison is an NCO of the Section of this Company working with the 8th Australian Infantry Brigade. During the night of 24th/25th April and on the 25th April 1918 when the Battalion was at Corbie, the lines forward to four battalions in line were many times cut by enemy fire. He, with other linemen, was out continually repairing them. The lines were particularly long, and this, with the heavy bombardment by both H.E. and gas shells taking place at the time, made his task difficult and dangerous. Although in the course of his work his eyes and system became affected by gas, his perseverance and zealous devotion to duty were an excellent incentive to those working with him. It was largely due to his untiring efforts and total disregard for danger that communications to his battalion was maintained almost continuously. He has always been an excellent example to others.’

John Franklin Harrison was born in Creswick, Victoria, Australia, in 1891. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 15 July 1915, and embarked for the Middle East with the 3rd Brigade Section, 3rd Divisional Signal Company, Australian Engineers, in November 1916.

Harrison served with the 5th Divisional Signal Company, Australian Engineers, in the French theatre of war from June 1916. He advanced to Sergeant in November 1917, and was awarded his M.M. for gallantry whilst serving with the 5th Divisional Signal Company, Australian Engineers, as part of the 5th Australian Division, on the Somme, 24-25 April 1918.

Harrison received gunshot wounds to thigh and face, 13 May 1918, and after a period of hospitalisation returned to Australian in May 1919. He was discharged the following month, and died 3 May 1960.