The David Laban Collection of Great War Awards

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C., M.M. group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant J. D. Harrison, Royal Irish Rifles

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved ‘25 Oct. 1918. Lt. J. D. Harrison. M.M. 12th Royal Irish Rifles. Hierwig’; Military Medal, G.V.R. (14-41003 Sjt. J. D. Harrison. 14/R. Ir. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. J. D. Harrison.) mounted court-style for display, very fine and better and a rare combination (4) £3,000-£4,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The David Laban Collection of Great War Awards.

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M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919; citation published 4 October 1919:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations around Hierweg on 25 October, 1918. When our troops were held up by heavy machine-gun fire he went forward with his platoon, under heavy fire, and put an enemy machine gun out of action, he himself working a Lewis gun when most of his platoon had become casualties. By his personal courage he set a splendid example to the men.’

M.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917.

John Darwin Harrison was born at Brading, Isle of Wight, in 1891, and in the 1911 Census he is recorded as a 20 year-old printers’ clerk, residing in his parents’ household at Baker Street, Alvaston, Derby. He attested for the Royal Irish Rifles and served in the ranks of the 14th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front prior to being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 12th Battalion on 31 July 1918. He relinquished his commission on completion of service on 20 January 1919, and died at Bakewell, Derbyshire, in 1957.