VI COMMANDO

L/Cpl. Arthur Herbert “Darkie” Harrison, formerly of the Royal Engineers, served in No.1 (later becoming No.101) Troop of No.6 Commando from 1940 (in Scarborough) until, at least 6^th September 1941.

He later returned to No.6 Commando and remained until, at least, 4^th April 1945.

Later as a Lance-Sergeant he was awarded the Military Medal on 1^st June 1945 (when he was reported as being ‘late of No.1 Troop’), for his actions on 4^th April 1945 during the Commando’s assault and capture of Osnabruck (Germany). The citation read:

‘At Osnabruck on 4^th April 1945 L/Sgt. Harrison and his sub-section were ordered to enter a large factory and clear it of enemy snipers.

L/Sgt. Harrison entered one doorway of a large machine workshop, and as he did so a group of five enemy fired a Panzerfaust at him from the other end of the workshop.  This wounded L/Sgt. Harrison in the leg.  However, completely undaunted, L/Sgt. Harrison went on, best his wound would allow, firing his carbine at the enemy, killing one and driving the remainder of the party, which included a spandau team out of the building where he killed another.  Leading his sub-section on to where the enemy had taken cover, he drove them out once again and was responsible for wounding yet another before the other two surrendered.  Up to this moment the unit had been held up as the factory overlooked the route which the unit had to take and several casualties had been caused by the spandau.

L/Sgt. Harrison by his gallant and dashing action, in which he showed complete disregard for his own personal safety, enabled the advance of the unit to continue without further casualties.’