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East Lancashire Regiment,
Killed in Action
9th April 1916,
Age 45
Commemorated Basra Memorial.
GALLANT EAST LANCASHIRES. LETTER FROM PTE. EDWARD HARRISON
In a letter to his wife and daughter, Private Edward Harrison, 6th East Lancashires, and of 225 Bailey Terrace, Haslingden, says the 6th East Lancashires on April 3rd, got ready for operations against the Turks, and marched to their allotted places in the trenches. Next morning the order was given "Over the parapet! East Lancs. for King and home !" The King's Regiment had to charge 50 yards and took the first line. The East Lancs. had to take another trench 500 yards away. The East Lancs were over their parapet, capturing the trench with only 16 men down, and then, disregarding orders, took over two miles of trenches, the Turks retreating as fast as possible. On account of their glorious work the East Lancs were ordered to the third line for the charge. The artillery began to play on the Turkish trenches. It was like Hades let loose, hundreds of guns beching forth fire and steel and death. In taking the position the East Lancashires had the heaviest loss in the whole division, but many Haslingden and Rawtenstall lads were ready to do their duty and to shoulder their bayonets for King and Country and for homes and wives and sweethearts. Pte Harrison goes on to anticipate the relief of Kut and the rescue of General Townshend. He has been in the firing line for about 17 months. He has been in France, Belgium, the Suez Canal, and Gallipoli, and has been wounded only once. He has two sons and a son in law in the firing line, and concludes that if a grandfather can stick in the front line against the enemy there are many more men at home who can do the same.
