Harrison, Ralph

83rd Battalion Badge — Badge of the 83rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force

172055 Sergeant Ralph Harrison served in the First World War with the 83^rd (Queen’s Own Rifles) Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, 124^th Pioneer Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force and the 11^th Battalion, Canadian Engineers, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Ralph Harrison was born in England on the 18^th of February 1885. He had previously served with the 2^nd Worcestershire and the 8^th Worcestershire Territorial Battalions for a total of 10½ years. After moving to Canada he becomes a bricklayer living at 115 Croyne Ave, Todmorden Village in Toronto. Ralph was a member of the Church of England, stood at 5 feet 4½ inches tall and was married to Alice Mary Harrison. Ralph survived the war, remarkably, with no recorded wounds or visits to hospital.

Timeline of Service

1915, 30 August – Attested as a Private in the 83^rd (Queen’s Own Rifles) Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force in Toronto.
1915, 07 September – Medical Examination at Niagara Camp
1916, 24 April – Embarked from Halifax aboard the H.M.T. Olympic
1916, 07 May – Arrived in Liverpool, England
1917, May – Assigned Pay of $20.00 per month to his wife Alice and Separation Allowance of $20.00 per month begins
1916, 07 July – Taken On Strength by the 12^th Reserve Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, West Sandling
1917, 05 February – Taken On Strength by the 124^th Pioneer Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Witley Camp
1917, 09 March – Embarked for France with the 124^th Pioneer Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
1917, 11 March – Disembarked at Boulogne France
1917, 11 to 22 June – Attended 1^st Army School of Mines
1917, 23 July – Promoted Lance Corporal
1917, 19 October – Promoted Corporal
1918, 26 February to 14 March – Granted Leave to England
1918, 30 March – Promoted Lance Sergeant with pay
1918, 15 May – Promoted Acting Sergeant with pay
1918, 24 May – Promoted Sergeant
1918, 30 May – Taken On Strength by the 11^th Battalion, Canadian Engineers, Canadian Expeditionary Force
Likely participated in the Battle of Amiens – 08-30 August 1918
Likely participated in the Second Battle of the Somme – 21 August to 03 September 1918
Likely participated in the Battle of the Canal Nord – 27 September to 01 October 1918
Likely participated in the Battle of Cambrai – 08-09 October 1918
Likely participated in the Battle of Valenciennes – 01-02 November 1918
Likely participated in the Battle of Mons – 11 November 1918
1918, 26 December to 13 January 1919 – Granted 14 days leave
1919, 09 May – Taken On Strength by “M” Wing CCC for return to Canada
1919, 12 May – Discharge Dental
1919, 23 May – Discharge Medical (Other Ranks who have no disability)
1919, 06 June – Embarked from Southhampton aboard H.M.T. Olympic
1919, 12 June – Disembarked in Halifax
1919, June – Taken On Strength by No. 2 District Depot, 2 Military District, Toronto
1919, 16 June – Struck Off Strength (General Demobilization) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and His Majesties Service.
Known address after the war – 664 Bathurst St., Toronto
Known address after the war – 47 Tranby Ave., Toronto
1962, 24 October – Dies in Toronto at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre and is interred in Section K, Plot 1761 at Pine Hills Cemetery, Scarborough
1962, 29 October – Department of Veterans Affairs registers death in Ottawa