BORN HULL 15/12/1889. SON OF FREDERICK WALTER & EMMA FRANCIS HARRISON, OF 8 SUMMERGANGS STATION, SOUTHCOATES LANE, HULL& 157 MERSEY STREET. PRIOR TO ENLISTING HE WAS EMPLOYED BY MESSRS C P SHERWOOD TIMBER MERCHANTS & WAS CAPTAIN OF THE COTTINGHAM FOOTBALL TEAM. HE HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR A COMMISSION AND WAS DUE HOME LEAVE WHEN HE WAS SHOT THROUGH THE HEART BY A SNIPER. HIS BROTHER ‘TITCH’ WON THE MILITARY MEDAL. WILLIAM’S DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL WITH HIS PHOTOGRAPH ON 8TH MARCH 1917. *
Chris Wesley writes on 10/11/2008 – He enlisted in the Hull Commercials on the 3rd Sept 1914. In Mar 1915 he was promoted Sgt and went with the Bn to The Somme. The Hull Bde was in reserve on the 1st July when the other Pals Bns of the 31st Division attacked at Serre. However, in Nov the Hull men led another attack north of the village. Billy acquitted himself well and was recommended for a commission. He returned to England for selection and duly passed and was to have joined the tank corps as an officer. Before this could take place he rejoined his unit and regrettably was killed on the 26th Feb 1917. Billy with his Officer and men were following the German retreat to the newly prepared Hindenberg Line. At Rosignol Wood the Germans fought a brief holding action and Billy, his Officer, a corporal and 4 other men were killed. They are all buried side by side in Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps. Comrades in Arms.
