Person

Frank Harland Harrison was born 29-Dec-1897 in Durham City. His parents were both originally from Bradford in Yorkshire. His father was Frank Harrison (1866-1916) whose occupation was described as a newspaper reporter. His mother was Lillian Harland (1866-1956) who was described as a book-keeper in the 1891 Census. An older brother, Bernard (1895) completed Frank’s family.

At the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at 11 East Atherton Street, Crossgate, Durham City. By the time of the 1911 Census they had moved to Sunderland and lived at 145 Sea Road, Fulwell.

Frank joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on 08-Mar-1918 for the duration of hostilities. On Joining the RNAS he was given the service number F51891 and the rank of Air Mechanic 2nd Class. Frank’s civilian occupation was described as a Chemist and he appears to have been stationed at Stratford, London, for most or all of his service. Here, his civilian experience would have been relevant as Stratford was both a base for manufacturing hydrogen gas for airships and a research establishment for developing devices and weapons.

The RAF was formed on 01-Apr-1918 when the Navy’s RNAS was merged with the Army’s Royal Flying Corp to form a single unified air service. Usually personnel were transferred from the RNAS to the RAF on that date. Frank was one of a relatively small number who did not transfer to the new service and he remained in the Royal Navy until discharged. This was because all of the personnel at the RNAS experimental depot at Stratford continued to work on many kinds of pyrotechnic and chemical devices and weapons drawing on the expertise of chemists.

While there is no direct evidence available it is possible that Frank may have worked under Wing Commander Frank Brock while at Stratford. Brock was from the family firm of CT Brock and Co a famous manufacturer of fireworks. He led the development of many weapons and devices perhaps most famously the smokescreen and flame-throwers used during the Zeebrugge Raid on 23-April-1918 when the Navy attempted to neutralize this key Belgian Port.

Frank’s record shows that he spent 9 days in the Hermitage Hospital in Hastings in October 1918 though no reason for this stay is recorded. He was discharged from the Navy on 18-Apr-1919 and returned to Sunderland. In the Probate record for his mother who died in 1956 he is described as working as a Technical Director. Frank died in Sunderland in Dec-1975.

Frank Harland Harrison was awarded the British War Medal for his service in WW1.

Civil Parish: Durham

Birth date: 1897-Dec-29

Death date: 1975

Armed force/civilian: Air Force

Residence: 11 East Atherton Street, Crossgate, Durham (1901 Census)
145 Sea Road, Fulwell, Sunderland (1911 Census)

Military service:

Enlisted in Royal Naval Air Service, F51891, Air Mechanic 2nd Class, Mar 1918 to Apr 1919
Shore on demobilisation 18-Apr-1919

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham