Thomas Samuel Harrison L9689 Driver, RFA
Oct 8, 2010 12:36:15 GMT
Post by Spitfire on Oct 8, 2010 12:36:15 GMT
Thomas Samuel Harrison, my great grandfather, was born in 1886 at Moses Gate, Bolton.
In 1915 he was living at 206 Whit Lane, Pendleton when he joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver. He had previously served as a volunteer with the Loyal North Lancashire regiment.
Sam as he was known, saw action in France and from his medal card I discovered that he was awarded a trio of medals. The other address recorded on his war records is 9 Caldwell Street which was just off Whit Lane. His name can be seen on the photograph of the Whit Lane War Memorial which is currently on the SWARM "missing list"
My great grandfather survived the trenches of WW1 and returned to his family, and life as a coal miner in Lancashire. In the mid 1920's there was a miner's strike, there was no work to be found in the familiar coal pits of Bolton or Salford so he went to work in the pits of West Yorkshire where sadly, in 1927 at the age of just 40 he was involved in an accident and died 4 days later as the result of a serious head injury.
Until a few months ago I knew very little about my great grandfather but I have worked hard and now have an understanding of his life. The accident which resulted in his death at a young age saddens me, he was working away from home and therefore died alone. He left behind a wife and two children who never got to visit his grave.
Sam's last resting place is an unmarked burial plot in a cemetery in West Yorkshire. I recently made the journey there to lay flowers and pay my respects. I am saving up to buy a headstone/memorial to the hero who I am so proud of and who will always be in my heart
In 1915 he was living at 206 Whit Lane, Pendleton when he joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver. He had previously served as a volunteer with the Loyal North Lancashire regiment.
Sam as he was known, saw action in France and from his medal card I discovered that he was awarded a trio of medals. The other address recorded on his war records is 9 Caldwell Street which was just off Whit Lane. His name can be seen on the photograph of the Whit Lane War Memorial which is currently on the SWARM "missing list"
My great grandfather survived the trenches of WW1 and returned to his family, and life as a coal miner in Lancashire. In the mid 1920's there was a miner's strike, there was no work to be found in the familiar coal pits of Bolton or Salford so he went to work in the pits of West Yorkshire where sadly, in 1927 at the age of just 40 he was involved in an accident and died 4 days later as the result of a serious head injury.
Until a few months ago I knew very little about my great grandfather but I have worked hard and now have an understanding of his life. The accident which resulted in his death at a young age saddens me, he was working away from home and therefore died alone. He left behind a wife and two children who never got to visit his grave.
Sam's last resting place is an unmarked burial plot in a cemetery in West Yorkshire. I recently made the journey there to lay flowers and pay my respects. I am saving up to buy a headstone/memorial to the hero who I am so proud of and who will always be in my heart
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