Raymond Hiley "Ray" Harries RAF   W/C DSO & Bar, DFC & 2 Bars Belgian Croix de Guerre French Croix de Guerre? Born in South Wales in 1916. He was a dental student for a short time before Joining Prudential Assurance in Canterbury. He joined the RAFVR when war broke out in Sept. 1939. After getting winged he was posted to 43 Squadron. Sent to instruct at 52 OTU, Debden on 8 July 1941. Posted to 131 Sqn as F/C in February 1942. Posted to command 91 Sqn in December 1942. That squadron moved to Westhampnett in June 1943 & with 41 Sqn formed the Westhampnett Wing. He was given command of that Wing in August 1943. Went to the USA with Bill Crawford-Compton late in 1943 to lecture on tactics. Returned in the spring to take command of 135 Wing. As part of 2TAF, he spent the fall of  '44 flying over France. 135 Wing was then sent back to the UK so they could undergo conversion training for their new aircraft, the Tempest. Ray however, was posted to 84 Group as W/C Training in the spring and he remained with that unit until the end of the war. He stayed in the RAF after the war & became CO of 92 Sqn late in 1949. Shortly after, on 14 May 1950, while flying a Meteor, he was unable to land in bad weather and ran low on fuel. He attempting to bail out but did not survive.

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Distinguished Flying Cross

(September 1942) Acting Flight Lieutenant Raymond Hiley HARRIES (87447), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 131 Squadron

This officer, who has completed numerous sorties, is an excellent flight commander. He has spared no effort in the training of his pilots, amongst whom he has fostered a fine team spirit. He has destroyed 1 and assisted in the destruction of 2 more enemy aircraft

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Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross

(May 1943) Acting Squadron Leader Raymond Hiley HARRIES, D.F.C. (87447), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 91 Squadron

This officer is a highly efficient squadron commander whose great keenness and energetic leadership have set a worthy example. In recent operations he has destroyed 3 enemy aircraft, shared in the destruction of another and damaged 3 more.

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Second Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross

(September 1943) Acting Squadron Leader Raymond Hiley HARRIES, D.F.C. (87447), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 91 Squadron

Since being awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Squadron Leader Harries has destroyed a further 4 enemy aircraft. In May 1943, he led the squadron in an engagement against 12 enemy fighters. In the combat 5 enemy aircraft were shot down, 2 of them by Squadron Leader Harries. During an engagement in July 1943, he destroyed 2 and damaged another enemy aircraft. This officer is a fine leader and a skilful and tenacious fighter.

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Distinguished Service Order

(November 1943) Acting Wing Commander Raymond Hiley Harries, D.F.C. (87477) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

This officer is an exceptionally skilful, courageous and determined fighter. Within the past weeks he has led his fighter force on various sorties during which 27 enemy aircraft have been shot down, 3 of them by his own guns. These successes pay an excellent tribute to this officer's inspiring leadership and great tactical ability. Whig Commander Harries has destroyed at least 15 enemy aircraft.

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Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palme

Suppliment to the London Gazette, Air Ministry, I5th June, 1945

The KING has granted unrestricted permission for the wearing of the undermentioned decorations conferred upon the officers indicated in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war:

CONFERRED BY THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT

Croix de Guerre

Acting Wing Commander

Raymond Hiley HARRIES, D.S.O., D.F.C., (87447), R.A.F.V.R.

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Bar to Distinguished Service Order

(July 1945) Acting Wing Commander Raymond Hiley Harries, D.S.O., D.F.C. (87477) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

This officer has been engaged in operational flying since 1940 and has destroyed at least 20 enemy aircraft. He has been operations wing commander of his wing throughout the strenuous period which followed the invasion of Normandy. During this time W/C Harries took part in numerous long escort sorties and in bombing and close support missions. Since the award of the D.S.O., he has destroyed one enemy aircraft and damaged others. Under all circumstances, in the face of adverse weather and heavy enemy opposition, he has displayed outstanding leadership and gallantry.

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Victories Include : 12 Mar 1942 5 June 1942 14 Aug 1942 19 Aug 1942 6 Dec 1942 20 Jan 1943 4 Mar 1943 24 Mar 1943 25 May 1943 16 July 1943 18 July 1943 19 Sep 1943 22 Sep 1943 27 Sep 1943 20 Oct 1943 25 June 1944 25 July 1944 26 Dec 1944 1/2 Ju88 one FW190 one FW190 one FW190 one FW190 1/4 Do217 one FW190 one Me109 one Me109 one FW190 1/2 FW190 one FW190 1/2 FW190 two FW190 1/2 FW190   3  Me109s one FW190 one FW190 one FW190 one Me109 two Me109s one V-1 one FW190 one Me262 destroyed probable damaged damaged destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed damaged damaged destroyed destroyed damaged destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed probable destroyed destroyed destroyed destroyed damaged 16 / 2 / 5.5 plus 1 and possible up to 5 V-1's

Harries in front of a No.41 Squadron Spitfire

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Thanks go out to

son Raymond for the photos & infos !

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