Arthur Leyland Harrison, VC (3 February 1886- 23 April 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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Details
He was 32 years old, and a lieutenant-commander in the Royal Navy during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
- On 22/23 April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, Lieutenant-Commander Harrison was in command of the naval storming parties, but immediately before coming alongside the Mole he was struck on the head by a fragment of shell which broke his jaw and knocked him senseless. Regaining consciousness, he resumed command, leading his men in the attack on the seaward batteries, but was killed almost at once. Although in great pain he had continued to press his attack, knowing that any delay in silencing the enemy guns might jeopardise the main object of the expedition. See also Albert Edward McKenzie.
Further information
Harrison was born in Torquay, Devon, and educated at Dover College. He was a tremndous games player and was capped several times for England - he is the only England international to have been awarded a VC, although several Irish internationals have been awarded VCs. His mother Adelaide Ellen Harrison, who lived in Wimbledon, London, received the VC and in 1967 relatives donated it to the Britannia Royal Naval College.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, England.
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)
External links
- News Item (unveiling of a memorial and action account)
- The Raid on Zeebrugge
