Senior Reserve Attendant Thomas Arthur Harrison Royal Navy
The Man Thomas Arthur Harrison was born on Sunday 28th December 1890 in Trawden, Colne Lancashire, son of Jim, a Cotton Warp Dresser and Mary Ann nee Allison. He was one of 11 children Florence 1892-93, James 1894, Wilfred 1895-96, Mary Elizabeth 1896-1977, Alice 1899, Jane 1901, Winifred 1902-1976, Richard 1904-1988, George 1907-1989, Stephen 1907-1965 Isabella 1909-1994.
The 1891 census shows the family living at 35 New Row, Winewall, Christchurch, Trawden and by 1901 they were living at 13 Well Head, Trawden, Thomas, aged 10 was still at school. In 1911, Mary, Thomas’ mother died, leaving Jim to care for the surviving children. Thomas, having finished his education was also working as a Cotton Weaver at one of the local mills and the family living at 22 Gladstone Terrace, Trawden
On 2nd August 1914, possibly in readiness for the impending Great War, that began two days later, Thomas aged 23, enlisted into the Royal Navy for one year as a Senior Reserve Attendant with service number M.9244. He was described as 5’ 7” tall with a 39” chest, brown hair, hazel eyes, a pale complexion and with a mole on his left shoulder. During the last quarter of 1914 he married Maud Alice Walmsley in Burnley and they had four children, Mabel born on 26 Apr 1915, Herbert 1918, Victor 13th May 1920 - 1987 and Fred 1926.
Thomas initially served at the Royal Hospital, Haslar and on 2nd August 1915, his service was extended for the duration of the war. From June 1915 he served in HMS Victory I followed by HMS Allenby and Victory I attached to Haslar Hospital again. His ships appear to have been land based, however Thomas did see overseas service and awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals.
Following the war Thomas returned to the Cotton industry and the 1939 Register shows him and his family living at 201 Cotton Tree Lane, Colne his job now a Power Loom Overlooker.
In later life Thomas and Maud lived at 28 Spring Lane, Colne and he passed away on 4th December 1964 aged 73. Maude remained at the address and died two years later on 2nd December 1966 at The General Hospital Burnley.
The 1891 census shows the family living at 35 New Row, Winewall, Christchurch, Trawden and by 1901 they were living at 13 Well Head, Trawden, Thomas, aged 10 was still at school. In 1911, Mary, Thomas’ mother died, leaving Jim to care for the surviving children. Thomas, having finished his education was also working as a Cotton Weaver at one of the local mills and the family living at 22 Gladstone Terrace, Trawden
On 2nd August 1914, possibly in readiness for the impending Great War, that began two days later, Thomas aged 23, enlisted into the Royal Navy for one year as a Senior Reserve Attendant with service number M.9244. He was described as 5’ 7” tall with a 39” chest, brown hair, hazel eyes, a pale complexion and with a mole on his left shoulder. During the last quarter of 1914 he married Maud Alice Walmsley in Burnley and they had four children, Mabel born on 26 Apr 1915, Herbert 1918, Victor 13th May 1920 - 1987 and Fred 1926.
Thomas initially served at the Royal Hospital, Haslar and on 2nd August 1915, his service was extended for the duration of the war. From June 1915 he served in HMS Victory I followed by HMS Allenby and Victory I attached to Haslar Hospital again. His ships appear to have been land based, however Thomas did see overseas service and awarded the 1914-15 Star, 1914-18 British War and Victory Medals.
Following the war Thomas returned to the Cotton industry and the 1939 Register shows him and his family living at 201 Cotton Tree Lane, Colne his job now a Power Loom Overlooker.
In later life Thomas and Maud lived at 28 Spring Lane, Colne and he passed away on 4th December 1964 aged 73. Maude remained at the address and died two years later on 2nd December 1966 at The General Hospital Burnley.
The Story The single Victory Medal awarded to Thomas Arthur Harrison was purchased at the Newark Runway Monday Flea Market on 29th April 2024. It was seen on a dealer’s table amongst several other buttons and badges.
The medal was acquired for a very reasonable price to save it from oblivion and because of the surname.
By cross-referencing the service number and accessing the World War I RN service records, Ancestry quickly revealed sufficient detail to enable a reasonable biography to be pieced together.
Another World War I veteran remembered and his medal saved from an uncertain future.
The medal was acquired for a very reasonable price to save it from oblivion and because of the surname.
By cross-referencing the service number and accessing the World War I RN service records, Ancestry quickly revealed sufficient detail to enable a reasonable biography to be pieced together.
Another World War I veteran remembered and his medal saved from an uncertain future.
Medal Details:
- 1914-15 Star: Missing.
- 1914-18 British War Medal: Missiong.
- Victory Medal: 9244 T.A.HARRISON. S.R.A. R.N.
This page last updated 2 Jun 24
8