Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Italy operations M.C. group of six awarded to 2nd Lieutenant J. T. Harrison, South Staffordshire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (8764 Pte. J. T. Harrison, S. Staff. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. J. T. Harrison); Italy, War Cross; Italy, Armati Altipiani Medal 1918, very fine and better (6) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919:

‘For distinguished service in connection with the military operations in Italy.’

John Thomas Harrison, who was born in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, enlisted in the 4th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment (Special Reserve) in January 1911, aged 17 years.

Mobilised on the outbreak of hostilities, he went to France as a Private in the 2nd Battalion in late November 1914. Advanced to Corporal in December 1915 and to Lance-Sergeant in July 1916, he was wounded by a gunshot to his right arm in the same month, being evacuated home via No. 3 Canadian General Hospital.

On recovering from his wound in September, he was posted to the 7th Battalion in France and remained similarly employed until selected for a commission in May 1917. Harrison duly attended No. 21 O.T.C. at Crookham and was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion in October 1917.

It was, however, as a member of the 1st Battalion that he went on to win his M.C. in Italy in the following year. He was released from service in March 1919; sold with copied service papers.