Charles’ occupation and marital status on enlistment was detailed as a Farm labourer and shearer, who was single.
- Date of Birth – 10 October 1914, at West Wylong1NSW Birth Death and Marriages, https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/ Birth 37671/1914 Harrison, Charles G, Parents, Charles A and Alice K. Registered in West Wyalong. Accessed 23 March 2024.
- Parents – Charles Andrew and Alice Kate Harrison, North Araluen2Commonwealth War Graves, https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2225423/charles-gordon-harrison/ Accessed 23 March 2024.
- Enlisted at Paddington on 4 June 1940
- Regimental Number – NX284043National Archives of Australia. https://www.naa.gov.au/. NAA: B883, Harrison Charles Gordon, Item ID – 4906060, Accessed 23 March 2024.
- Aged at embarkation – 25 years and 7 months
- Military service – 2/17 Australian Infantry Battalion. Rank – Private4Virtual War Memorial Australia, https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/631260. Accessed 23 March 2024.
- Died of wounds received from an Air Raid whilst in Hospital on 13 August 1941 (aged 26 years)5Australian War Memorial, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1706971. Accessed 22 March 2024.
- Buried – Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya6Find a Grave.com. Panel 40, on a monument at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/249802269/charles-gordon-harrison and https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56089607/charles-gordon-harrison Accessed 23 March 2024.
Charles was the 6th child of Charles Andrew and Alice Kate Harrison. He was born in West Wyalong on the 10 October 1914. Charles Andrew Harrison and Alice Kate Le Lagadec had seven children–Ellen, Pierre (Peter), Kate, Clara, John (Jack), Charles and Roy. At the time the Charles was killed, his brother Roy William [Service Number – 21037, born 30 January 1919] and a sailor stationed on the HMAS Waterhen, was waiting in Tobruk harbour to evacuate the wounded. Roy did not know that his brother was in the hospital at the time.
Charles died of wounds received from an Air Raid whilst in Hospital, and is recognised as one of the Rats of Tobruk.
The historic siege of Tobruk, Libya, from April to December 1941 where Australians, British, Indian, Czechoslovakian, Polish and other allied troops held off a larger German force. Of the garrison of 22,000 about 14,000 were Australian. The name ‘Rats of Tobruk’ derives from German radio propagandist, Lord Haw Haw, who referred to the troops as ‘rats who would be smoked out of their holes’. The Australians made this name their own. The memorial is based on the one in the Tobruk War Cemetery, built by Royal Australian Engineers during the siege. That memorial has since been destroyed. The original marble inscription stone was brought back to Australia after the war and is incorporated in the obelisk which forms the Rats of Tobruk Memorial located on Anzac Parade leading up to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. [https://www.nca.gov.au/attractions/rats-tobruk-memorial#]
The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate7Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888-1950), Wednesday 27 August 1941, p 2. reported in August 1941 ‘C. A. Harrison, of Locksley Avenue, Merrylands, was officially informed last Thursday that his son, private Charles Gordon Harrison, had died of wounds at Tobruk. Private Harrison was reported wounded a few weeks ago. In a letter he wrote while in hospital he said that he was feeling better. Private Harrison was 26 years of age. He left Australia 11 months ago.’
The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal8Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888-1889; 1895; 1897-1954), Friday 14 November 1941, p 2. published a letter received by Mr. C. A. Harrison, of Merrylands, from Padre Salter, Tobruk.
The Padre says:—’In your letter you ask for further particulars concerning the passing or your son. I am now able to supply details which by military regulations could not be given earlier.
Your son had been for some time an inmate or our hospital suffering from a bullet wound in the ankle, during that time I frequently saw him: Unfortunately, our hospital is very near the front line, and has frequently been subjected to air raids. It was in one of these raids that your son received the wounds from which he subsequently died without rallying. A bomb came through the roof of the ward where he was, killing one lad instantly, mortally wounding your son and one other, and more or less injuring quite a number of others. Your boy was rushed straight over to the operating theatre, where he was at once attended to by our surgeons, but nothing they could do could save him, and as I said before, he failed to rally. The doctor who was attending him was himself slightly wounded by the same bomb. Unfortunately this has happened on more than one, occasion during our stay in this area, the Red Cross being no guarantee of immunity from danger. Most deeply do I regret having to supply you with these sad details, but in view of what you already know, it is only right and fitting that you should know the rest.’
In an article titled ARALUEN SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS the Braidwood Review and District Advocate9Braidwood Review and District Advocate (NSW : 1914-1954), Tuesday 26 August 1941, p 2. reported in August 1941 ‘The first local casualty in the present war has been notified, information having been received by his father that Pte. Charles Harrison had died of wounds received in the fighting at Tobruk. About six weeks, ago his relatives had been advised that he had been wounded in action.
The deceased, who was 25 years of, age and single, was a son of Mr Charles Harrison, and was a particularly fine type of young man, a typical Aussie, and a soldier who lived right up to the highest traditions of the immortal Anzacs. He was well known throughout the Braidwood district, particularly in the sporting sphere, having played cricket with the Araluen club, about 18 months ago and football at Major’s Creek some years back. His actions on the field of sport showed the type of man he was— fair and honourable in every way. It is tragic indeed that young men of his calibre have to be cut off in the prime of life. The deceased did not spend much of his time at Araluen, although each year he put in about three months there with his brother, Peter. A great affection existed between the pair. He followed up harvesting and shearing in the western districts. Enlisting about 14 months ago, he spent part of his final leave in the golden Valley. His many Araluen pals will learn with deep regret of his death.
Charlie was a staunch, big-hearted mate, loyal and generous. As one, of his friends remarked, “he would give his shirt or his last shilling to a friend. And now he has given his life for the honour of his country. Vale, Charlie”.’
