Harrison, Francis – Supervised souvenirs for Royalty and politicians

Francis Harrison, FSS FRGS  (1875-1931)

GRANTHAM-born Francis Harrison left the King’s School planning a legal career but instead found work with the Great Northern Railway Co.

He was trained in the King’s Cross based personal office of general manager Sir Harry Oakley, considered the finest railway administrator of his day.

For health reasons, he went abroad to Natal, still serving railway chiefs.

Throughout the Boer War he was one of the officers in charge of troop and munitions transportation.

At the end of hostilities, he was engaged on publicity work, responsible for designing and supervising artistic souvenirs  for the King and Queen, Prime Minister and other worthies.

He also compiled and illustrated the Official Guide to Natal, the Port of Durban and History of the Boer War from the Railway Standpoint and other productions.

Either side of the war he had been secretary to the Special Railway Commission railway Advisory Board and the Railway Employees Appeal Board. He was also appointed secretary of a Parliamentary Commission and railway investigation work.

In 1905 he went on a world tour studying railway systems in Australian, China, Japan and Canada among others.

He became chief secretary to the last Prime Minister of Natal.