William Leeming Harrison
Encyclopedia
Captain William Leeming Harrison was a Canadian fighter ace
in World War I. He was credited with twelve aerial victories.
on 3 April 1916 in his home town of Toronto. He gave his birth date as 30 December 1897, although the Aerodrome intimates he was two years younger. He was a student living at home with his father, Doctor William Spencer Harrison. The military doctor noted the younger Harrison's age as 18 years 3 months, his appearance as fair, with brown eyes and dark hair. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall, and had a scar on his right thumb.
in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Effective 17 June 1917, Harrison was commissioned as a Probationary Second lieutenant
.
He was finished pilot's training in Summer 1917, and was assigned to fly a Nieuport
in C Flight, 40 Squadron. On 9 August 1917, he destroyed a German observation balloon
over Arras
for his first victory. The squadron re-equipped with new Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5as, and Harrison used his new craft for his second victory, when he destroyed a Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke
reconnaissance plane on 18 January 1918. On 26 February, he drove down an Albatros D.V
out of control. Mid-day and late afternoon wins on 6 March made him an ace. He would score five more times in March, ending the month as a double ace. After destroying another German plane on 1 April, he was promoted to Captain and transferred to 1 Squadron as a Flight Commander. He destroyed a Pfalz D.III
on 11 April 1918, to round out his tally at a balloon and seven enemy airplanes destroyed, and four driven down out of control. He was then wounded, and left combat duty. His Military Cross was awarded in May 1918, with a Bar in lieu of a second award following.
Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty in aerial fighting. He destroyed two
enemy machines and drove down others out
of control. He always showed a splendid
spirit of dash, keenness and tenacity, coupled
with determination and skill in attacking
enemy aircraft.
William Leeming Harrison was also awarded a Bar to his Military Cross in lieu of a second award.
He died on 6 January 1960.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
in World War I. He was credited with twelve aerial victories.
Enlistment information
William Leeming Harrison enlisted in the 220th Battalion (12th Regiment York Rangers), CEF of the Canadian Expeditionary ForceCanadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
on 3 April 1916 in his home town of Toronto. He gave his birth date as 30 December 1897, although the Aerodrome intimates he was two years younger. He was a student living at home with his father, Doctor William Spencer Harrison. The military doctor noted the younger Harrison's age as 18 years 3 months, his appearance as fair, with brown eyes and dark hair. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall, and had a scar on his right thumb.
World War I
Circumstances of Harrison's early service are still cloudy. There are two records of his becoming an officer. On 29 May 1917, Harrison was commissioned as a LieutenantLieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. Effective 17 June 1917, Harrison was commissioned as a Probationary Second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
.
He was finished pilot's training in Summer 1917, and was assigned to fly a Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
in C Flight, 40 Squadron. On 9 August 1917, he destroyed a German observation balloon
Observation balloon
Observation balloons are balloons that are employed as aerial platforms for intelligence gathering and artillery spotting. Their use began during the French Revolutionary Wars, reaching their zenith during World War I, and they continue in limited use today....
over Arras
Arras
Arras is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The historic centre of the Artois region, its local speech is characterized as a Picard dialect...
for his first victory. The squadron re-equipped with new Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5as, and Harrison used his new craft for his second victory, when he destroyed a Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke
Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke, usually known as DFW was a German aircraft manufacturer of the early twentieth century. It was established by Bernhard Meyer and Erich Thiele at Lindenthal in 1910, and initially produced Farman designs under licence, later moving on to the Etrich Taube and eventually to...
reconnaissance plane on 18 January 1918. On 26 February, he drove down an Albatros D.V
Albatros D.V
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Bennett, Leon. Gunning for the Red Baron. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2006. ISBN 1-58544-507-X....
out of control. Mid-day and late afternoon wins on 6 March made him an ace. He would score five more times in March, ending the month as a double ace. After destroying another German plane on 1 April, he was promoted to Captain and transferred to 1 Squadron as a Flight Commander. He destroyed a Pfalz D.III
Pfalz D.III
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam, 1962. ISBN 0-93385-271-1.* Grosz, Peter M. Pfalz D.IIIa . Berkhamsted, Herts, UK: Albatros Publications, 1995. ISBN 0-94841-425-1.* Guttman, Jon. Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 ...
on 11 April 1918, to round out his tally at a balloon and seven enemy airplanes destroyed, and four driven down out of control. He was then wounded, and left combat duty. His Military Cross was awarded in May 1918, with a Bar in lieu of a second award following.
Text of citation for Military Cross
2nd Lt. William Leeming Harrison, R.F.C.,Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty in aerial fighting. He destroyed two
enemy machines and drove down others out
of control. He always showed a splendid
spirit of dash, keenness and tenacity, coupled
with determination and skill in attacking
enemy aircraft.
William Leeming Harrison was also awarded a Bar to his Military Cross in lieu of a second award.
Post World War I
Harrison went on the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force on 29 September 1919.He died on 6 January 1960.
Reference
- Shores, Christopher F. et al. Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 0-948817-19-4, 9780948817199.