Harrison Motorcycles

Manufactured by Harrisons of Castlemaine Victoria, 1911 and possibly other years.

Two motorcycles with "Harrison" on the tank are clearly visible in the hand-coloured photograph from 1911. The firm was active as a bicycle agent from 1904 or earlier, until 1917 or later.

There is little mention of the business in the press, but one of the family members, Eric Harrison, became famous, as did his compadre and fellow motorcyclist Harry Hawker.

"Eric Harrison was born at Clinkers Hill near Castlemaine in Victoria in 1886. Harrison left Australia for England in 1911 together with Harry Hawker, Harry Busteed and Harry Kauper all in search of careers in aviation. On his arrival in England Harrison trained as a pilot at the Bristol School and after a mere 30 minutes of actual flight time he attained his Aviator's Certificate from the Royal Aero Club. Soon after he was employed by Bristol as an instructor."
https://trove.nla.gov.au/list/43019

"Following WWI, Harrison began a long career closely associated with engineering and air safety. He was appointed Assistant Director of Technical Services in 1927, and soon after formed the RAAF's Air Accident Investigation Committee investigating the causes of air crashes.

Harrison held the position of Director of Aeronautical Inspection throughout World War II. In 1945, just as the war had ended, Harrison died suddenly at his home in Melbourne on the 5th September 1945."
https://www.harryhawker.com.au/the-three-harrys-and-eric

FATHER OF RAAF DIES

Group-Capt Harrison
"With the death on Wednesday night of Group-Captain Eric Harrison, who was known as the father of the RAAF, all members of the service, and, indeed, all Australians interested in aviation, must feel his loss...
The Argus Fri 7 Sep 1945

MOTOR CYCLING. 24 HOURS' TEST.
CASTLEMAINE, Saturday.
A great crowd of soldiers and others assembled at Harrison's motor garage this afternoon, to wit ness the participants in the ... hours' reliability test for the Australian Motor Cycle Cup under the auspices of the Motor Cycle Club of Victoria.
The Bendigo Independent Mon 14 Aug 1916 (Trove)

Pilot Aviator for the Australian Flying Corps.
Lieutenant Harrison will probably return to Australia before Christmas. Formerly he was engaged in the cycle and motor trade, and after spending some six years with his brother, Mr. H. Harrison...
Mount Alexander Mail Fri 25 Oct 1912

Many cars have been placed on the roads by Rowe Motors Co. and its forerunner, Harrison Motors Co.
The Sun News-Pictorial Thu 27 Nov 1924

Sources:
https://www.harryhawker.com.au/the-three-harrys-and-eric
Trove NLA

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