F.W.Harris


Squadron Leader Frank Harris

Francis William Harris was born 11th January 1892, he enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps as 2829 2 AM F W Harris earning his 14/15 Star marked to the RFC, By the end of the war he had became a Sergeant and his War and Victory medals are marked 2829 Sgt F W Harris RFC, so on 1st April 1918 when the RAF was formed he was on duty in the UK and never went abroad before the end of the war.

His RAF Long Service and Good Conduct medal is marked 2829 F/Sgt FW Harris RAF, this he qualified for under Air Ministry Order (AMO) N188/1933 as a Flight Sergeant with effect from 11th January 1933.  His 1936 Coronation Medal is as issued un-named. (See photograph below.)

He was appointed Warrant Officer on 15th May 1937 and with the advent of WW2 he was commissioned Flying Officer Technical Branch (Engineers) 21st March 1940 with the number 21392.  War Substantive Flight Lieutenant 12th May 1941 and to Temporary Squadron Leader 1st June 1942, retiring from the Air Force on 31st August 1945 retaining the rank of Squadron Leader.  During this period he qualified for the 39/45 Star, Defence and War Medals.

His appointments were 26th March 1938 Electrical and Wireless School, RAF Cranwell, later, Instrument Makers' Sub-School.  In May 1941 to HQ Technical Training Command, Wantage Hall, Reading, Engineers Staff.  9th October 1941 HQ Technical Training Command, Air Staff, he served here until his retirement.

He lived in retirement at "Per Ardua", Leighton Road, Toddington in Bedford, he had a son Peter Francis Carr Harris who was the Air and Defence Correspondent for the 'Daily Mirror'.  Frank passed away at Beckenham Hospital, Kent.  At the time of his death he was living at 85, Albemarle Road in Beckenham.

His medal group ...

A picture of the medal group of F.W.Harris