Harold Ernest Joseph Harrigan
HAROLD ERNEST JOSEPH HARRIGAN (1898-1918) born at Monteagle, son of Joseph Francis and Eveline Kennedy Harrigan nee Clark. He enlisted on June 12th, 1916 at Tumbarumba for the duration of the war, plus four months. Private Harrigan 3006B of the 19th Battalion was KIA on August 8th, 1918 with Mustard Gas at Fromelles. His body was exhumed and was re-buried at Crucifix Corner Cemetery, VE24 Villers-Brettoneux, France. His name in on Panel 88 Australian War Memorial. The 1916 Battle of Fromelles marked Australia's introduction to the Western Front. On the night of July 19-20, 7,500 Australians attacked the German positions. By the next morning 5,533 were killed, wounded or missing.
The awe inspiring war cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux was opened by King George VI in 1938. One of the features is a tall, white tower, inside the top of which is a circular plaque with arrows pointing to the battlefields of the Western Front - but one points the way to Canberra. The walls are engraved with the names of the missing. From the high vantage point of the Cross it is possible to look over the rows of headstones, through to the peaceful scene of French fields basking in the summer sunshine. Harold was educated at Binalong Public School and Hereford House, Glebe, he was an Engineer who became a school teacher at Wagga Wagga and Tumbarumba. He embarked from Sydney on the HMAT A11 Ascanius on October 25th, 1916, after enlisting on June 12th. After arrival at Devonport on December 28th, 1916 he was sent to France on board the SS Golden Eagle on February 28th, 1917 to join the 55th Battalion from the 19th. He was treated for appendicitis while in Calais and then on March 23rd, he was injured by an exploding shell and gassed. After returning to duty on August 3rd, 1918, he was reported KIA on the 10th. His parents were sent his medals, the Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1914-18 Star. Name on Tumbarumba War Memorial.
[DAVIS OF GOUNYAN - ROLL OF HONOUR - BM Pittman]
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Submitted 26 April 2015
by Beryl Pittman