The Royal Air Forces Association was sad to learn of the death of Second World War Lancaster bomber pilot Eric Harris.
Eric Harris, who died just four months before his 100th birthday, served with 630 Squadron which, between November 1943 and April 1945, took part in many major raids, including Bomber Command’s 16 attacks on Berlin.
Despite being in existence for less than two years, 630 Squadron flew almost 2,500 sorties, dropped over 10,000 tons of bombs, and laid around 800 sea mines in enemy waters.
In September 1945, Eric, who flew 36 operational missions with the squadron, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his wartime role.
Born in Cornwall, Eric emigrated as a young child with his parents to Christchurch, New Zealand. In 1942 he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as a pilot, and in 1943 was posted to the RAF’s 630 Squadron, based in Lincolnshire.
At the end of the war, Eric was involved in flying home British troops who had fought in India and Burma.
In June 1946, having left the RNZAF a few weeks earlier, Eric joined the RAF and went on to serve for another 22 years.
In February 1952, Eric was one of the pilots who brought the then Princess Elizabeth home from Africa following the death of her father, King George VI.
After retiring from the RAF, Eric ran a hardware shop for a few years in Bournemouth, where he had settled with his wife, Camilla, and their daughter, Christine.
One of Eric and his late wife’s grandchildren, Paula Harvey, said: “Pops shared his passion for aircraft and boats with his family by, among other things, making models for his grandchildren and great grandchildren to play with.
“He was an incredibly warm and generous man who would always look to help others. We will all miss him so much. He had the most exciting life, and was a real role model to us all.”
Local representatives of the RAF Association and the 57/630 Squadrons Association, of which Eric was a member, are among those planning to attend Eric’s funeral in Bournemouth this week.
