Cpl CD Harrison

Photo of Cpl C.D. Harrison, 1916. A photo from a souvenir booklet for 4th Canadian Divisional Signal Company.

Cpl C.D. Harrison was a longtime member of the unit. Cpl Harrison was not "Signals" at the time of his death as he had recently transferred to the Royal Flying Corps but that doesn't reduce the tragic nature of his death. Cpl Harrison died on 27 June 1918 and is buried at St. Mary Churchyard, Denham, United Kingdom with a special memorial. "Death from misadventure" was the official reported cause and it occurred while attending the School of Aeronautics at Denham, England.

We are indebted to Mr. F. E. Harrison (father of the late Mr. C. D. Harrison) for the following particulars of the tragic accident which caused his death. The extract is from a letter written by the Commandant of the Royal Air Force Camp at Denham: "His death was due to cerebral hemorrhage consequent to a fall. He was boxing in a tournament with a fellow cadet in the penultimate bout, and was winning on all points when a blow from his opponent made him stagger, and in recovering his balance, his foot slipped, and he fell backwards, striking his head on the floor, and was rendered unconscious, in which condition he was taken to hospital, where he passed away several hours later. It was his kismet — he was enjoying his life, his work, his play and his surroundings, and died just as much for his country as any man who laid down his life on the battlefield." From https://cgwp.uvic.ca/detail.php?pid=1269229

Credit: Military Communications and Electronics Museum Archives