Person

John George Harrison, known as Jack, hailed from a politically radical family. His mother, Elizabeth Harrison, held meetings of the Women’s Social and Political Union, the militant suffragettes, in her house. His sister, Esther, sold copies of “The Suffragette” on Framwellgate Bridge in Durham. (See Sue Jones “An Uneasy Relationship? Labour and the Suffragettes in the North East”, North East History, Volume 44, 2013, pp 86-101)

Jack attended the Lanchester Military Tribunal to argue against being conscripted, both this application and his appeal to the Durham County Tribunal failed as this newspaper report records:

Durham County Advertiser, 26 May 1916:

“John George Harrison, school teacher, Cornsay Colliery, was charged with failing to join H.M. colours on 18th March.

Lieut. Hill, recruiting officer, Consett, explained that the accused entertained conscientious objections to military service, but his claim before the Lanchester Tribunal was dismissed, and his appeal to the County Tribunal at Durham was similarly dealt with. Witness sent an official notice to Harrison to report himself, but the lieutenant received a postcard from the defendant to the effect that he would have to ignore the notice, as he had repeatedly applied for some form of alternative service, but his request had not been granted.

Defendant said he had appealed to the local tribunal to review his case, but this had been refused. He claimed that the intention of the Act was to grant persons of his opinions absolute exemption because he was a conscientious objector.

The Clerk (M H. P. Robinson): This court has nothing to do with the question of conscientious objection. That has already been dealt with by the tribunals.

Defendant remarked that he had no intention of joining the Army. He was quite willing to prove his sincerity by suffering punishment. He had two letters – one from Rev. T. Dale, P[rimitive] M[ethodist] minister, Waterhouses, and another from a friend in France – testifying to the sincerity of his convictions in regard to opposition to all forms of military service.

Defendant was fined 40s, and handed over to the military authorities.”

The authorities imprisoned Jack at Wormwood Scrubs where he refused to take part in the Home Office Scheme which allowed CO prisoners to do work unconnected with the war effort. He also employed suffragette tactics by going on hunger strike to protest about the conditions of other prisoners. The prison authorities released Jack in February 1918 due to ill health.

Civil Parish: Cornsay

Birth date: 1889-Sep-17

Death date: [1967?]

Armed force/civilian: Civilian

Residence: Union Street, Cornsay Colliery (1908, Bede Admissions Register, E/HB 2/235)
Hawthorn House, Commercial Street, Cornsay Colliery (1911 census)

Education: Bede College, Durham, day student

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Teacher

Family: Parents: John Harrison, Elizabeth Eleanor Harrison
Sister: Esther Alsop Harrison (1911 census)
Wife: Isabella Faulkner, 1916 (Ancestry, marriage index)

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office | Cyril Pearce