Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.

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07.10.1940 No. 4 Squadron Lysander R9056 P/O. Richard W. Harris

Operation: Recce

Date: 07th October 1940 (Monday)

Unit: No. 4 Squadron

Type: Lysander

Serial: R9056

Base: RAF Linton-on-Ouse

Location: Between Calton and Faceby, North Yorkshire

Pilot: P/O. Richard Waugh Harris 42988 RAF Age 22. Killed

Ai/Gnr: Sgt. Marcus Rudolph Harvey 936278 RAFVR Age 29. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire at 06.35 hrs on a coastal recognisance flight. 

Above: map of area with insert P/O. Richard Harris (courtesy Sherborne School Archives see credits) With below, Lysander aircraft from 16 squadron same type as used by 4 Squadron and many others.

On return to the airfield the pilot was carrying out several low passes over a field when at 07:52 hrs the aircraft hit the ground, killing both the crew. Further information about this can be found on Richard Allenby’s great website regarding aircraft crashes in North Yorkshire. (See credits below)

Sherborne School, Dorset - Any further information that you are able to assist them with fallen former pupils from all wars, we would be pleased to pass onto them. 

Burial details:

P/O. Richard Waugh Harris. Newton-On-Ouse Churchyard (All Saints) Row Q. Grave 5. Further information (courtesy Sherborne School Archives) Born 1 July 1918, son of Gilbert Harvey Harris and Muriel Carrington Harris, of Washdale, Stone, Staffordshire, England. Attended Yarlet Hall preparatory school, Stafford. Attended Sherborne School (Westcott House) January 1932-July 1935; 6th form. Articled to a solicitor.

Sgt. Marcus Rudolph Harvey. Middlesborough Cemetery (Acklam) Sec.A. Joint grave 44. Further information: Son of Bernard and Ann Harvey, of Acklam, Middlesbrough, England. He shares his grave with his older brother, 25 year old Bernard Harvey 936441 RAFVR. Bernard was also killed returning from a gardening operation whilst with 106 Squadron. The Hampden I X2914 ran out of fuel crashing at Chilton Polden near Bridgewater in Somerset. The pilot, Sgt. W. Huggins was the only survivor from the crew of 4. This happened on the 27th September 1940, the family losing two sons in just over a week!

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew With thanks to Sherborne School Archives for additional information. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Aircrew Remembered own Archives. Richard Allenby and his comprehensive research into Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire.

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