Arthur Leyland Harrison
Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy
- Register No.
- 535 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Commander all Lieutenant-Commanders →
- Unit
- Royal Navy (register: HMS Vindictive) all HMS Vindictive VCs →
- Date of action
- 22–23 April 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 17th March, 1919 on this day → all of 1919 →
- Born
- 3rd February, 1886 at Torquay, Devon
- Died
- 23rd April, 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium. (killed in action)
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Zeebrugge Memorial, Belgium and a commemoration at Torquay, Devon
Digest of citation
On 22nd/23rd 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
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
HARRISON, Arthur Leyland. (reg No. 535).
Lieutenant Commander. Royal Navy.
London Gazetted on 17th March, 1919.
Born on 3rd February, 1886 at Torquay, Devon.
Died on 23rd April, 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium. (killed in action).
Memorials at Zeebrugge Memorial, Belgium and a commemoration at Torquay, Devon.
Digest of Citation reads: On 22nd/23rd 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.
Additional information: Lieutenant Commander Harrison was the son of Lieutenant Colonel AJ Harrison on the 7th Royal Hussars and Mrs Harrison of Waddon Cottage, Durham Road, Wimbledon. Educated at Dover College he then joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in September 1902. Promotions came on the following dates: To Lieutenant in October 1908 and Lieutenant Commander In October 1916. He played rugby football for United Services team, gaining two international caps against Ireland and France in the 1913-14 season. In March 1914 he played for the Royal Navy against the army at Queen's Club. Both teams were presented to King George V after the match. He saw service at the Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1914 and at the Dogger Bank in 1915. He was also at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 where he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazetted 15th September, 1916). He was killed at the head of his men, everyone of them being either killed or wounded.
Additional information
Lieutenant Commander Harrison was the son of Lieutenant Colonel AJ Harrison on the 7th Royal Hussars and Mrs Harrison of Waddon Cottage, Durham Road, Wimbledon. Educated at Dover College he then joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in September 1902. Promotions came on the following dates: To Lieutenant in October 1908 and Lieutenant Commander In October 1916. He played rugby football for United Services team, gaining two international caps against Ireland and France in the 1913-14 season. In March 1914 he played for the Royal Navy against the army at Queen's Club. Both teams were presented to King George V after the match. He saw service at the Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1914 and at the Dogger Bank in 1915. He was also at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 where he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazetted 15th September, 1916). He was killed at the head of his men, everyone of them being either killed or wounded.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Zeebrugge Memorial, Belgium and a commemoration at Torquay, Devon
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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