Jump to content

Searching for the last chapter of a hero’s story

Recommended Posts

I have been trying to find out more about the wartime fighter ace Raymond Harries. His life and achievements are fairly well documented. He was certainly a brave and extraordinary man, credited with shooting down 15 Nazi aircraft in the late stages of the war, including three Me 109s in a single day, and two of the formidable FW190s, again in a single day.

What’s eluded me so far are the circumstances surrounding his death. It is known that he was killed on 14May1950when his Gloster Meteor jet ran out of fuel and crashed near Sheffield. He apparently died after bailing out when his parachute became entangled on the aircraft’s tailplane. But as to where this happened, I have drawn a complete blank. Anyone any idea.?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Have you considered joining Pprune ?

If you post your question on the Military Aviation section almost certainly someone will be able to point you to the Accident Report/Board of Enquiry finding etc - there are some extremely well informed aviation folk on that forum.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If that is the incident that happened in the Hackenthorpe/Beighton area, then there are articles on Sheffield Forum about it...somewhere.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Have you read: "Well-Known Fighter Pilot killed". The Times. 16 May 1950?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I have been trying to find out more about the wartime fighter ace Raymond Harries. His life and achievements are fairly well documented. He was certainly a brave and extraordinary man, credited with shooting down 15 Nazi aircraft in the late stages of the war, including three Me 109s in a single day, and two of the formidable FW190s, again in a single day.

What’s eluded me so far are the circumstances surrounding his death. It is known that he was killed on 14May1950when his Gloster Meteor jet ran out of fuel and crashed near Sheffield. He apparently died after bailing out when his parachute became entangled on the aircraft’s tailplane. But as to where this happened, I have drawn a complete blank. Anyone any idea.?

 

There were a few fatal Meteor crashes that happened around the Sheffield area in the 50s. One was near Treeton pit, but I think that was later than 1950. I always remember my Grandad, who worked at Treeton pit, telling me about it, when he came home from work, as I lived with my Grandparents at that time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all for your suggestions and contributions, particularly to hillsbro for the source material and Ontarian for flagging up the fact that there was more than one such instance of a Meteor crashing.

 

Indeed, in another incident in 1955, a young pilot was killed after his aircraft came down near Holmesfield. This crash however is well-documented and there is even a small memorial on the site.

 

Given Sq Ldr Harries' stature as a fighter pilot it is perhaps surprising there isn't more material about.

 

But at least the mystery of the crash location has been solved. Thank you again

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
There were a few fatal Meteor crashes that happened around the Sheffield area in the 50s. One was near Treeton pit, but I think that was later than 1950. I always remember my Grandad, who worked at Treeton pit, telling me about it, when he came home from work, as I lived with my Grandparents at that time.

 

This was 1953, on the pit tip, pilot was called Edwards. We renamed the walk over the now grassed tip "Edwards Meteor Way"

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

430Spider

There were over 400 pilots killed flying Meteors.

You’ve presumably looked at the 92 Squadron website which gives an account of the loss of their boss. They may have further info as well.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

An article in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 18 May 1950 states that he crashed

at Todwick, near Sheffield.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 7 June 1950. Resumed inquest. The coroners court was held at Swallownest and a member of the R.A.F. witnessed the crash.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've got a screenshot of the 1950 article mentioned above and also a brief report of his marriage to Doreen Parson in 1947, if they're of interest please let me know.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.