Searching for relatives of Major Reginald John Harrison KSLI

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Emanuel1940, Jan 3, 2013.

  1. Emanuel1940

    Emanuel1940 Member

    Can anyone help me? I am seraching for surviving relatives of Major Reginald John Harrison of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry who was killed on 1st March 1945 see CWGC entry CWGC - Casualty Details

    His son, John Edwin Harrison left a note on this page in 2001 but the email left no longer works, British Light Infantry Regiments - King's Shropshire Light Infantry

    Reginald John attended Emanuel School in the 1930s and I would like to find out more info about his war record including photos, letters, details of service etc.

    Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you all.
     
  2. borneo72

    borneo72 Junior Member

  3. Emanuel1940

    Emanuel1940 Member

    Thank you.
     
  4. Emanuel1940

    Emanuel1940 Member

    A pure coincidence whilst researching last night. Reginald John Harrison was in the 4th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, the same battalion in which Major Urwin 'Ned' Thornburn served. Both Ned Thornburn and Reginald Harrison attended Emanuel School in Battersea. In 1944 Ned was CO of 'D' Company 4th K.S.L.I. and Reginald was 2nd I/C of the same Company. Later Reginald was CO of 'A' Company 4th K.S.L.I.

    I attach a photo of Ned and Reginald from 1943, Ned first from left, Reginald first from right. I also attach a photo of Reginald when he was in the Emanuel OTC.

    Reginald's war story is told extensively in the Ned Thornburn's histories of the 4th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

    Two weeks before he died Reginald had learnt that his wife had died in a V2 Rocket attack.

    I hope that a member of Reginald's family will see this one day and will get in contact with me via the Emanuel School at War blog http://emanuelschoolatwar.wordpress.com
     

    Attached Files:

  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    There is a probate for him on Ancestry
    England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 about Reginald John Harrison
    Name: Reginald John Harrison
    Probate Date: 6 Jul 1945
    Death Date: 1 Mar 1945
    Death Place: London, England
    Registry: Llandudno


    32858_611411_1999-00086.jpg

    and the person noted in it is Ethel Maud Fletcher - widow, this may be his married sister.

    Also on Ancestry:
    UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 about Reginald Harrison
    Name: Reginald Harrison
    Given Initials: R J
    Rank: Major
    Death Date: 1 Mar 1945
    Number: 149462
    Birth Place: London SW
    Residence: London SE
    Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
    Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45
    Regiment at Death: King's Shropshire Light Infantry
    Branch at Death: Infantry

    But interestingly enough there does not appear to be any birth details for him, so my guess would be that he was born outside the UK, and that may mean his living relatives are going to be difficult to find.

    TD

    edited to add:
    if you want someone to pick this up from outside then I think you will need to add his name as a tag to the topic - not sure how to add tags once the thread has started, but one of the moderators will help with that.
     
  6. Emanuel1940

    Emanuel1940 Member

    Thank you TD that is very kind and extremely helpful. Many thanks. Daniel.
     
  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Daniel,

    When I have a bit more time I hope to research info on Ethel Maud Fletcher to see if she is a direct relative, and hence some offspring - will update with anything

    TD
     
  8. Emanuel1940

    Emanuel1940 Member

    Hi TD. Ethel Maud Fletcher was his mother in law. Reginald's wife was Beryl Fletcher. I haven't made any further progress other than that.

    All the best,

    Daniel.
     
  9. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    To change or add to your tags, edit your first post and use the "full editor" option located on the bottom of the post!

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  10. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Daniel

    England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1916-2005 about Reginald J Harrison
    Name: Reginald J Harrison
    Spouse Surname: Fletcher
    Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1942
    Registration district: Wandsworth
    Inferred County: Surrey
    Volume Number: 1d
    Page Number: 1129
    Find Spouse: Find Spouse


    England & Wales, Marriage Index, 1916-2005 about Beryl R Fletcher
    Name: Beryl R Fletcher
    Spouse Surname: Harrison
    Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1942
    Registration district: Wandsworth
    Inferred County: Surrey
    Volume Number: 1d
    Page Number: 1129
    Find Spouse: Find Spouse
     

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