An interesting Second World War North West Europe Distinguished Flying Cross, Malayan Emergency and Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air group awarded to Flying officer late Squadron Leader R.E. Harrison, Royal Air Force who as a member of 10 Squadron would have flown Handley Page Halifax bombers over North West Europe in the closing stages of the Second World War, being decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross in the London Gazette of 20th July 1945. Post war he flew Halifax ‘Mercury 1’ and later the Lincoln ‘Mercury II’ as part of the Royal Air Force’s Empire Radio School travelling to South Africa and Canada and showing off the latest equipment and explaining its use. Harrison would be awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in the London Gazette of 11th June 1966.
Group of 8: Distinguished Flying Cross, the reverse dated 1945; 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal; General Service Medal 1918-1962, EIIR Dei.Grat bust, 1 Clasp: Cyprus; (SQN. LDR. R.E. HARRISON. R.A.F.) Coronation Medal 1953; Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. Mounted loose for wear, Nearly Extremely Fine
Condition: mounted loose for wear, Nearly Extremely Fine
Flying Officer Ralph Edward Harrison was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in the London Gazette of 20th July 1945 whilst serving with 10 Squadron which flew Handley Page Halifaxs over North West Europe during the later stages of the Second World War.
Remaining in the Royal Air Force after the war he would serve as a crew member of ‘Mercury’ the Mark VI Halifax of the Royal Air Force Empire Radio School.
An article in the Londonderry Sentinel on Saturday 18th January 1947 titled ‘Mercury to tour South Africa’
Her journey to the Union of South Africa will be made via the Middle East and on the way lectures will be given and new equipment explained to units of the Royal Air Force and South African Air Force.
The ‘Mercury’ which was originally fitted out as a flying classroom is now equipped with the latest radio aids, including H2S, IIIG, Geo II, Rebecca II and Loran, which will be demonstrated wherever possible. Further instruction will be given by means of some nineteen radio films which will be taken along together with a 16mm projector.
In all, the Mercury will travel more than 13,000 miles and lectures will be given at seven places on the way. The route flown will be Debden, to Lyneham, Malta, Abu Sueir, Khartoum, Nairobi, Zwartkop, Langebaanwag, Brooklyn and home by approximately the same route, to return to Debden on March 3.
The mission will be commanded by Air Commodore T.T.P.F. Fagan, Commandant of the Empire Radio School, and Wing Commander D.H.S. Rusher, D.S.O. Squadron Leader R.H. Fluke, Flight Lieutenant C.A. Wood and Fluing Officer J.W.C. Douglas will go as passengers to carry out instructional work. The crew of the ‘Mercury’ will consist of Flight Lieutenant R.E. Harrison, D.F.C. (Captain), Flight Lieutenant J.L. Bowmer, D.F.C., D.F.M. , Flying Officer R. Woonton, Flight Sergeant J.H.L. Wickson, Sergeants R.J. Poole and J.J.H. Scott, and Warrant Officer W.H. Ward.
The Independent Press and Chronicle on 13th May 1943 would state that he would travelling to Canada:
‘The Empire Radio School’s round the world Lincoln bomber, Mercury II, will leave Debden on Tuesday on the first stage of a signals liaison flight to Air Force stations in Canada. A stop will be made in the Azores en route, and the whole trip will last about a month.
Mercury II is the successor to the Halifax ‘Mercury I’ and is fitted with all the latest radio and radar equipment. Between the, the two aircraft have flown more than 95,000 miles on liaison missions to all parts of the world.
Leading the present mission is Group Captain C.F. Pearce, while the aircraft’s captain is Flight Lieutenant R.E. Harrison D.F.C. The departure from Debden will be watched by Air Vice-Marshall W.E. Staton, Air Officer, Administration of Technical Training Command Headquarters.’
Harrison would go on to see service in Cyprus during the EOKA Emergency and would receive a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air in the London Gazette of 11th June 1966.
