THE remarkable “spirit of patriotism” shown by one Hereford family during the First World War was to receive the attention of King George V.

A personal message was sent to Mr and Mrs John Harrison, who lived in Widemarsh Street, in appreciation of their family’s service towards the war effort. No less than six sons and two sons-in-law were in service to King and country, and Mr Harrison himself resumed military duty as a National Reservist.

Details of the “treasured” letter from the monarch have come to light as Cecil H. Harrison has recently begun researching his ancestor’s roles in the Great War. Written on behalf of King George by Keeper of the Privy Purse, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Frederick Ponsonby, the message was reprinted in the Hereford Times in 1915.

Sir Frederick wrote: “I am commanded to express to you the King’s congratulations and to assure you that his Majesty much appreciates the spirit of patriotism which prompted this example, in one family, of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire.”

Sadly, a second Hereford Times cutting dated 8 December 1918 reports that Private Thomas William Harrison, fifth son of Mr and Mrs Harrison, died of fever at Salonika. He had been in France with his regiment, fighting on the Western front for more than 12 months, before being sent to Salonika where he was stricken with malaria.

His parents had earlier received a “very cheerful” letter from him. The report continues: “The news of his death therefore came as a shock to his relatives, unfortunately intensified by the news that his brother, Private Timothy George Harrison, has been severely wounded in the abdomen in the recent fighting in France.”