Jesper HARRISON

16495, Private. b. 1875, Clayton d. 23rd July 1916 (aged 41).

Although not listed on the war memorials in the park or the church, Jesper was born in Clayton and his life as a Quarryman and Coal Hewer was brought to an end in 1916 on the Somme in France.

Born in 1875 to Jeremiah and Mary Harrison. The census records show Jespers progress from a 5 year old in 1881 through to 1911.

In 1881, aged 5 Jesper lived at 9 Yews Green with his 5 brothers and sister. By 1911, Jesper now 15 was working as a Brickworks Labourer with his father Jeremiah and the family had moved to 6 Club Row in Thornton. In 1901, Jesper now aged 26 at time of the census had married Jane Craig and they had a 1 year old boy, William Yewdall Harrison and were living at 33 Park Square in Halifax with Jesper working as a Deputy at a coal mine. William Yewdall Harrison was born June 7 1899 and baptised at St. Philips in Girlington. Jesper and Jane are shown living at 1 Close Head in Thornton and Jespers occupation as a Quarryman Hewer.

In the final census for Jesper taken in 1911, this finds Jesper now aged 35 living with Jane and William at 14 Victoria Terrace, Bruntcliffe and Jesper is working as a Coal Hewer and their only child, William is now 11 and at school.

By 1914 Jesper was living at 10, King Street, Morley, Leeds with his wife and son. He enlisted in Leeds into the 12th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment.

A further Somme casualty, Jesper was killed in action and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

William Yewdall Harrison

Jespers son William Yewdall Harrison also signed up and much later in the was presumably when he was called up at 18 on 7th June 1917. William Y Harrison joined Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 189609. His medal record card shows he was awarded the British Medal and the Victory Medal.

Unlike his father Jesper, William survived the war and went on to marry, Mable Hall in 1927. The family lived in Morley and had a son, Leslie, born in 1935 and it appears their are other additions to the family.

The 1939 register shows William and Mabel living at 67 Bridge Street, Morley and William working as a Fruit Dealer and Greengrocer in his own business.

Williams mother Jane died in 1944.