ARMY'S GAS EXPERT

Evening Star, Issue 16994, 17 March 1919, Page 3

ARMY'S GAS EXPERT

COLONEL HARRISON’S DEATH, ’The British Army—atvd, mclccd, the whole army of the Al.ios—suffered a severe loss recently in the sudden death from picumonia of Lieutenant-colonel E, T. Harrison, C.M.G., R.E.. Officer of the. Legion of Hoi.or. Colonel Harrison'? Mine (writes the London ‘ Daily Telegraph )’ will ever he associated with the protection of the British and Allied troops against pas. S.'nco the early days of pas warfare he had occupied a leading position in the Chemical Warfare Department of the Ministry of Munitions and for over a year he had been in sole charge of research in connection with gas defence and of the manufacture of respirators for the armies in the fund It is due merrily to his brilliant efforts that throughout this war our troops have been so well protected, and that no new pas lias ever born employed against us for which his foresight had not completely provided the antidote. The problem that Colonel Harrison bad to face was not merely that of devising an appliance that would give the necessary protection, but of designing one that could be produced quickly in very large numbers, and that would interfere as little as possible with the fighting efficiency' of the troops. He has been responsible for the manufacture of millions of respirators that have been issued to British, American, and Italian troops. No demand, of whatever nature —even the complete supply at a few weeks’ notice to an entire allied army—has ever failed to be mot. In overcoming all these difficulties fiis resourcefulness, hia immense capacity for work, and his sound practical judgment wore of inestimable value. Moreover, in the middle of all this work he lost his eldest son, who was killed in action at the battle of the Somme on July 30, 1916. His most striking qualities were his boldness of decision and his genius for organisation. His character and his devotion to duty are exemplified by the fact that, though 47 years of age, ho joined the army as_ a private in May, 1915, and was just going overseas in that capacity when a call for chemists was made to develop anti-gas warfare, and he was transferred as a corporal to the Royal Engineers. He very rapidly gained promotion, and just previous to his death had been appointed Controller of tire entire Chemical Warfare Department.