Canada, CEF. A First War Pair to Pt. Harrison, 10th Battalion, Died of Wounds at the Battle of Amiens, 1918

A British War Medal, in silver, full size, rim officially impressed 898015 PTE. M. H. HARRISON. 10-CAN.INF., dark patina, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, in bronze gilt, full size, rim officially impressed 898015 PTE. M. H. HARRISON. 10-CAN.INF., light wear and loss of gilt, near very fine. 

Footnote: Mark Horn Harrison was born in May 1892 in Durham, England. He was working as a clerk, and residing with his mother, Mary, in Blairmore, Alta. He enlisted with the 192nd battalion on February 16, 1916. 

Upon arriving in Liverpool, Harrison was transferred to the 9th Reserve Battalion. In March 1917, he transferred to the 2nd Canadian Reserves Signal Base, and shortly thereafter moved to the 21st Reserve Battalion in October. He arrived in France in late October 1917, and began serving with the 10th Battalion.

On August 16, 1918, he suffered a gunshot wound to the right arm, shoulder, and a fracture to the right thigh. Ultimately, Harrison died of these wounds. The circumstances of casualty records state “While with his Battalion in Beaufort Wood at about 9 a.m. August 15th. 1918, he was severely wounded in the right arm, thigh, and shoulder by shrapnel from an enemy shell. He was given first aid and taken to No. 47 Casualty Clearing Station where he died the following day.”  He is buried in the Hospital Military Cemetery, in Dury, South of Amiens, France. 

On August 15, 1918, during the closing phase of the Battle of Amiens, the 10th Battalion, CEF, part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division, was engaged in bitter fighting at Beaucourt (Beaufort) Wood near Lihons, France. The battalion advanced through thick, shell-shattered woodland under heavy German machine-gun and artillery fire, encountering strong resistance as the enemy attempted to hold the high ground. Fighting was close and intense, with Lewis guns and bombs used to clear entrenched positions. Despite mounting casualties, the 10th secured its objectives within the wood, contributing to the Canadian Corps’ continued eastward push during the Hundred Days Offensive.