Harold Joseph Bryon Harrison, only son of Mr. Fred Harrison, Clicker of John White (Impregnable Boots) Ltd., Lime Street and his wife Ada of 23, Kings Road, Rushden, educated at Newton Road School.

He was well known in sporting circles playing football and cricket for Rushden Thursday Club, being employed in the retail trade by Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society. He commenced work at the age of 14 in their No.5 Grocery department, being very popular with customers and fellow workers alike.

He enlisted in November 1940 and went out to the Middle East in 1942, during which service he won two cups and a medal for Boxing, the medal being won in Egypt. After service there, he returned to England and was sent to Ireland where, on a training exercise in October 1942, he was reported missing, believed drowned.

He was the wireless operator and rear gunner on a non operational exercise, detailed to act as target aircraft. After making a dummy attack on another aircraft, the engine refused to pick up. The pilot in attempting to make a forced landing, struck the sea where the plane broke up and sank immediately. Despite a brief appearance in the water of his flying helmet, Sergeant Harrison was not seen alive again and it was believed he died on impact with the sea. The accident occurred in Lough Foyle near Magilligan, Londonderry. His body was recovered from the sea on the evening of the 8th, February 1943 and buried on Thursday 11th, February in the churchyard of Limavady, with full military honours.

The pilot of the plane, Flying Officer Allan W. Simpson wrote 'It is very hard to put on paper my own sentiments and those of us who knew him well, but I shall never forget his cheerful happy spirit and courage, or his loyalty to his friends, even in the RAF such comrades are few and far between'.

Sergeant Harrison married at Christmas 1941, Betty Perkins, daughter of Jack and Una Perkins of 25, Finedon Road, Irthlingborough with whom he lived when he enlisted.

Royal Air Force Station, Limavady, Home Forces.

12th February, 1943.

Dear Mrs. Harrison,

Further to my letter of the 10th October, 1942 and to my telegram of the 9th February, 1943, I now have to inform you that the body of your late husband, 1024222, Sgt. H.J.B. Harrison was recovered from the sea on the evening of the 8th February, 1943.

As you will no doubt appreciate, owing to the lengthy period which has elapsed since the time of the crash and the time your husband's body was found, it was deemed expedient on Medical advice to bury him immediately. It would have been impossible to send his body home to you for burial and it was essential that his body be buried without delay, so there was not sufficient time for me to contact you so that you could attend the funeral, here. I trust you will appreciate the position in which this Unit was placed and approve my action in what was a very delicate situation.

However, I am enclosing photographs of the funeral for you to keep. Your husband was buried with full R.A.F. honours on Thursday, 11th February, 1943 in the Churchyard of Limavady Parish Church. This Church is a typical country Church and contains the graves of several airmen of this Station. The Churchyard is always maintained in a very neat and tidy manner and the graves of the airmen are adorned with fresh flowers every Sunday by the Committee of the lady members of the Church.

Once again may I express my sincere sympathy in your very sad bereavement and assure you of my regret that circumstances did not allow burial arrangements which might have been more in accordance with your wishes.

Dear Madam,

With reference to my letter of the 13^th October 1942, I regret to inform you that nothing further has been heard of your husband, No.1024222 Sergeant Harold Joseph Bryon Harrison of No. 7 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force, since he was reported missing and believed to have been drowned.

The aircraft, of which he was the wireless operator and air gunner, was carrying out a non-operational day training exercise on the 9^th October 1942, and was detailed to act as target aircraft. After making a dummy attack on another aircraft, the engine failed and refused to pick-up again. The pilot made for the nearest shore and glided in as far as possible, with the intention of making a forced landing. Unfortunately the aircraft struck the sea before the shore could be reached, and nothing further was seen or heard of your husband.

You may rest assured, however, that should any additional news be received concerning him you will be informed immediately.

With renewed expressions of the sympathy of the Royal Air Force with you in your great anxiety.

Letter from Sergeant Molloy of R.A.F. Station Limavady, Home Forces.

Dear Mrs Harrison,

I’m writing this note to let you know I’m collecting Joe’s kit and will sent it on to you as soon as possible. I was one of his best friends and have been with him a long time now, and his other friends and I are all deeply grieved over this and are all in sympathy with you.

I have spoken to the pilot who has just come out of hospital and was also a friend of Joe and I, and he is in a terrible state over it and wishes me to tell you he did all in his power, but it was one of those unavoidable things that happen. He managed to glimpse Joe in the water for a second but he had disappeared when he went in after him. I hope you will get over this Mrs Harrison and not grieve too much but his friends and I will always remember him as one of the very best always, so I’ll concluded hoping I haven’t upset you anymore by this letter.

Rushden R.A.F. Sportsman Missing

The sad news that their son, Sergt. Harold Harrison, a wireless operator-gunner in the R.A.F., is missing, reached Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Harrison, of 23, Kings-road, Rushden, on Saturday from their son’s station. The message stated that a letter was to follow, but it has not yet been received.

Sergt. Harrison is well-known in Rushden, for prior to joining the Air Force in December, 1940, he was employed as a shop assistant at the Rushden Co-operative stores in High-street.

He was married to Miss Betty Perkins, of 25, Finedon-road, Irthlingborough, in December of last year, and was sent in January to the Middle East, where he had taken part in many raids in Libya, including several on Benghazi. He returned to this country about a month ago.

A keen sportsman, Sergt. Harrison has played football and cricket for Rushden Thursday. During his period of service in the R.A.F. he has won two clips and one medal for boxing. The medal was awarded to him in Egypt.

The sad news has been officially received by Mrs. Harrison, of 25 Finedon-road, Irthlingborough, that her husband, Sergeant Harold Harrison, R.A.F.V.R. was killed in a flying accident. Sergeant Harrison joined the R.A.F.V.R. in November 1940, and went out to the Middle East in January 1942. After taking part in many activities there he returned to England the following September, and was sent to Ireland for a rest. He was reported missing following a flying accident in October.

The funeral took place on Thursday, in Ireland with full R.A.F. honours, but owing to the short notice it was impossible for relatives to attend.

Sergeant Harrison, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Harrison, of 23, King's-road, Rushden, was married at Christmas 1941, to Miss Betty Perkins, of Irthlingborough. Before enlisting

Sergeant Harrison was employed by the Rushden Co-operative Society in their High-street store. Sergeant Harrison was well known in local sporting circles, haying played football and cricket for Rushden Thursdays. During his service in the R.A.F.
he won two cups and, one medal for boxing. The medal was awarded to him in Egypt.