Harry died in July 1996, aged 81.

He enlisted into the Cavalry of the Line on 5 December 1933, initially joining the 3rd The King’s Own Hussars while they were stationed at York. He was posted with a number of other 3rd Hussars to the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars in Cairo. In June of that year, he moved with the bulk of the Regiment to Palestine, before returning to Cairo in November of that year.

He was promoted to Sergeant in January 1943 and took part in the battles of the Western Desert up to his return to the UK in August 1943, apart from the time the Regiment spent in Cyprus from December 1942 until moving to Syria in June 1943. He spent eight years with the 8th Hussars in the Middle East.

Harry took part in most sports, representing the Regiment in football, cricket, hockey and boxing. He was posted to the ‘Skins’ and remained with them until leaving on posting to the 38 Reconnaissance Regiment in May 1944.

He sailed for NW Europe in April 1945 and joined the Control Commission for Germany, staying with them until December 1945, when he returned to the UK for his release in March 1946.

He met Phyl while stationed at Weeting, and they married in October 1944.

Harry was a regular member of the Regimental contingent on the Cenotaph Parade. On one occasion, he was taken ill and spent a few days in St Thomas’s.

He was a loyal and supportive member of the Regimental Association.

Related topics

  1. A short history of The 8th Hussars
  2. Timeline: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)