Help: Court Martialled & Missing in UK, Capt: Albert Edward Harrison AIF

[Craven-Harrison]

Roger and JDS1949,

I'm guessing that Andrew is no 41 in my list could you confirm this?

a Sgt No L/8798

Ian

[Redroger]

So now we know there was a 2Xs Harrisson born in Kent in 1889, indicative, but not yet conclusive, the A. Harrison I found in the army list had only one S. As I say, a strong indication, but I would like to eliminate a Harrison with one S b Kent 1889 before I was sure, and do further research on this guy. If he had died in 1913 say, I would think that would be suggestive in itself.Correct Ian!

[Craven-Harrison]

Roger,

if you say so, as I have said there is ample evidance that the Army got it wrong many times, so Carole's Andrew could be the same fellow as yours with a simple spelling mistake at the army end

[Redroger]

Ian, I was confirming that this Harris(s)on was No 41 on your list. There are always at least 2 types of mistake,accidental and deliberate.It could and likely was, a spelling mistake by some army clerk, or it could be part of a slightly deeper cover up.See what we find Thursday.

[Craven-Harrison]

Roger and Carole,

OK, regarding item 41 thanks, thought it might be, and spelt with one S, I'll see if I have his MIC and send it on if I have it

I mounted this particular note in message 87 and here it is again just to press the point, that this spelling issue occurs quite often

THE LONDON GAZETTE, 20 JUNE, 1924. 4809
INFANTRY.
1th Bn. Midd'x. R.—The surname of 2nd Lt.
A. E. Harrisson is as now described and not
as in Gaz. dated 3rd June 1924.

THE LONDON GAZETTE, 3 JUNE, 1924. 4439
INFANTRY.
1th Bn. Midd'x R.—Alfred Ernest Harrison.
4th June 1924.

Take a look at No 85 on my MIC list, there is info on the card referring to AE Harrison. I have earmarked this soldier for further research. albeit he was a private, but as we have said earlier he could have turned up in 1917-18 and just started fighting for a feed

[Craven-Harrison]

Continuing on from the previous message regarding Alfred Harrison AKA
A.E Harrisson, I have attached his MIC for analysis

Although this man is a private he is definitely a person of interest because of the reference to AE Harrisson on the top of the card and also in the body of the card

There appears to be some confusion as to his real name, his unit is in question and refers to T/1071 ASC as a reference to look elsewhere for information on the same man, also the text in the R/H bottom corner is difficult to read and understand but definitely refers to AE Harrison

Can anybody decipher the text on this card, it looks like "

Parties for / TFM # & correct name AE Harrisson  Auth # C 5.A." 

I presume that ASC is Army Services Core, what would this unit actually do?

It also looks like the 14th London Reg, Middlesex Reg and ASC ? what might be going on here?

[jds1949]

Dear Ian,

re: the medal card for Alfred Harrison/Harrisson

From my reading of the card he served with both the ASC and the Middlesex Regiment. I suspect that most of his service was with the Middlesex Regiment as the asterisk next to that entry denotes what would have been inscribed on his medals. He was also awarded the Territorial Forces Medal for his pre-war service with 14th London Regiment. The following from the Long Long Trail explains a little of this:

The Territorial Force War Medal, 1914-1920
This is the least commonly issued medal. It was insituted in 1920 and only applicable to men or women who had served in a unit of the Territorial Force. To qualify, the soldier must have completed four years or more service prior to 4 August 1914, and if not still serving must have rejoined by 30 September 1914; they must have agreed to serve overseas by the same date; they must have served overseas at some point up to and including 11 November 1918; and they must not have otherwise qualified for a 1914 or 1914-15 Star.

Only 33,944 of this medal was issued, to members of the TF and the TF Nursing Service.

As you write, there had clearly been a misrecording of this man's name, but the note at the bottom right states:
"Parties for stamping [i.e. stamping his correct name on the rim of the medal] T.F.M. # & correct name A. E. Harrisson [second "s"" underlined for emphasis] - Authorised * C 5 A"

The written note on the top of the card states:
"See T/1071 ASC A E Harrisson#"

I would suggest that this card refers to an  Alfred E Harrisson [mistakenly recorded at some point as Harrison] who was a pre-war territorial soldier with the London Regiment - recalled at the beginning of the was - did some time with the ASC before being transferred to the Middlesex Regiment and then served abroad some time after 1916.

Tempting though it might be to think there is a connection - I suspect that it is highly unlikely that this has anything to do with our man. It would be truly bizarre to think that anyone would go to such elaborate lengths to fake an identity - there were much simpler ways to do it - if it was done at all.

I shall be meeting up with Roger on Thursday and we shall see what we can find.

jds1949 

[Redroger]

For what it's worth Ian, I agree with JDS on all aspects of this card.

[Craven-Harrison]

Dear Jds1949 and Redroger,
 
thanks for your insightful comments here!

In context with our ever-present issues of accidental or intentional misspelling, this fellow was of interest given the reference to AE Harrison, the confusion with his entire name and the way his circumstances were broadcast in the London Gazette. I agree absolutely that for this man to be AEH was very improbable. You have confirmed absolutely that he isn’t in contention

Notwithstanding this fellow’s unsuitability on this occasion, the issue of an error in spelling and the possibility that it could be intentional always begins the process of doubt in my mind. I absolutely agree with you that in this case to go to so much trouble in the creation of an entire history is much too complicated considering how easy it would have been to achieve the same end with simpler methods.

I have adopted a credo or overarching and governing methodology in the hunt for AEH which is “ never overlook or discount a coincidence”

Interestingly, I have never considered a Private previously. This change of philosophy has its origins in this forum thread, it may have some long term merit in the future, if all other leads are exhausted researching through the more conventional and logical processes.

Specifically, the technical issues associated with the unraveling of the MIC vagaries are fantastic, things such as “stamping” were unknown to me and quite perplexing albeit simple explanation. Unresolvable words like this in context with the obvious interests in this card do begin to take on a whole new mysterious character until broken down into logical sentences and meanings, as you so clearly, have done here.

At great expense to the management I've joined Ancestry tonight and took a look at the MIC that was referred to in the upper border on the original card, being A E Harrisson, ASC & 14 Lond Reg T/1071 - On the new card, a reverse reference to the original card in the top border was written (ie) Alfred Harrison 208291 referencing the first card to be viewed, So, quite obviously two cards, one man and an Army spelling mistake.

Following my MIC enquiries in Ancestry tonight, I located some other similar misspellings of Harrison, which I will investigate. I also researched a significant number of A Harrison's (non Officers) without any success at all.

It's a pity that Ancestry doesn't have the Officer's records.

Of significant interest, I entered the search phrase AIF into the Ancestry search engine and received 520 AIF Men and Officers who hold British Medal Index Cards. - Initially it appears that there are men and Officer’s who have almost identical MIC’s to AEH, complete with phrases such as “Suspense list” and “Disembarkation date” -  I’m not sure what this means yet and I will continue to view the cards and try to ascertain some clue as to why AIF men have these cards and importantly any connection with a continuance of service into the British Army.

Thanks again

Ian