Appears on the “Muster Roll” of the 2^nd Bn., Kent Regiment (MG), N.P.A.N. (date unknown) they trained twice a week. Harry had joined the Kent Regiment while still in high school.  Born 27/02/1922 the son of the Postmaster and Mrs. Spencer A. Reid of Stanley Ave., Chatham, ON..

Harry would transfer from the Kent Regt. to the RCAF. P/O Reid was reported spending two weeks leave at his parents Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Reid’s home on Stanley Ave. CDN 15/01/44

Previous Military Experience: Trained with the 2nd Kent Regiment.

Harry enlisted in the RCAF at Sarnia, ON., J40451 and transferred to the RCAF in 1942 at the age of 20 years old. He trained at various stations across Ontario and to the east coast. He graduated as a Pilot Officer 4 January 1944. He departed Canada aboard RMSP Andes with 1,700 people aboard, with the trip taking seven sailing unescorted, first to the Canary Islands and from there to England. 

Overseas with Bomber Command he was transferred to the RAF after D-Day with ferry service between England and Italy. He served with the 49 Sqd. RAF and in 1945, he was stationed in Syserston. Harry was a bomb aimer completing 20 operations before the war ended. “The most famous of these was against Hitler’s mountain hideaway Berchasgarden. It turned out that Hitler was not in residence and Harry in his joking way said, “I missed the target anyway!”

After enlistment, Harry Spencer Reid trained in Toronto, Jarvis, Crumlin and Nova Scotia prior to serving overseas from March 1944 to November 1945. While in England he trained twelve additional times at various stations. Overseas with Bomber Command, he was transferred to the RAF after D-Day with ferry service between England and Italy.  He fought in France and Germany with the 49th Squadron R.A.F., and after V-E Day with 427 Squadron R.C.A.F. in Italy and Northern Ireland. He was promoted to Flying Officer and received the 1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence of Britain medal and the C.V.S.M.

Previous Military Experience: Trained with the 2nd Kent Regiment.

From August 1942 to March 1944 Pilot Officer Reid trained at Jarvis, Crumlin and Maitland, N.S.

He served overseas from March 1944 to December 1945 attached to the R.A.F. and participated in eighteen operations over Germany, Czechoslovakia, Norway, and took part in the bombing of Hitler’s hide out. After V-J Day he flew with R.C.A.F. in occupation of Germany, transporting British troops to and from Germany and Italy.

He was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer while Overseas.

Date of Discharge: January 5, 1945

In the CDN 31 July, 2004 Harry recalled southern England before the D-Day attack. “Tanks, trucks and guns lay hidden in hedges and beaches, and had barbed wire and barriers in case of a land assault by the Germans. Sadly he didn’t get to go swimming.

Harry had a lot of respect for the ‘Lanc’ as the crews referred to the big four engine bomber. “It out performed any other bombers that the Allied or Germans had. It was the fastest and carried the biggest bomb load. It had the longest range with four Rolls Royce Merlin inline engines. After you dropped the bombs and had half the gas, the pilot said it handled like a fighter.” A far cry from the cumbersome Sterling and the two engine Wellington.

The  CDN 12/04/44 reported that Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Reid, of Stanley St., Chatham received Easter greetings from their son Harry and was then stationed overseas. The CDN 6/05/44(P) reported that Harry was overseas. Harry arrived overseas 19 May, 1944 at Bournsmouth, joining Bomber Command and was then transferred to the RAF after D-Day with ferry service between England and Italy. He served with the 49 Sqd. RAF. 

Harry had a lot of respect for the ‘Lanc’ as the crews referred to the big four engine bomber. “it out preformed any other bombers in the Allied or Germans had. It was the fastest and carried the biggest bomb load. It had the longest range with four Rolls Royce Merlin inline engines. After you dropped the bombs and had half the gas, the pilot said it handled like a fighter.” A far cry from the cumbersome Sterling and the two engine Wellington. 

On 13 August, 1944 Harry became a member of a Lancaster crew that would stay together for the remainder of the war. The pilot was Johnny Johnston, the gunner an rear gunner were British, the navigator, wireless operator who were along with Harry were Canadian.  Harry and Stan Hamilton of Hamilton, ON, the Navigator, became the best of friends. “Neither of us drank or smoked. I spent my time between missions writing and Stan did a lot of reading.”  

Harry’s first bombing mission was on 21 December, 1944. He and his crew were part of a squadron attack on a synthetic oil plant in Czechoslovakia. There were many more night raids leaving England in daylight flying ten hours to their target and then return to England. His log book contained the details of his mission. They carried one 4,000 pound bomb, four 1,000 ponders and four 500 ponders. He said the crew often added a personal note “To Adolf With Love”.  

“Twenty minutes before reaching the target I went up in the front guns (in the nose) and looked out the aircraft. Ten minutes before the target, I went down to the bombing section and set the site settings and the camera. During the flight, he was in charge of the plane. It doesn’t say if the pilot is a Wing Commander.  I gave the instructions to maneuver to the target.” When he yelled out “Bomb doors open, Bombs going” then he would watch the light panel to be sure the bombs had left the aircraft.   

Harry’s last ‘Op.’ was to fly to Italy 13 Sept. 1945. The mission was to fly from England to Italy. The war in Europe was over in May and Reid’s plane had been assigned to transport former British POW’s back home. 

“There were 20 British soldiers we were bringing home. They were in bad shape, but it was a happy flight. When they hopped out they kissed the ground. The BBC met the plane at the air field and each crew member was interviewed briefly for a comment”.

It was reported that he would arrive in London, ON from overseas duty 29 November, 1945. CDN 29/11/45(P). Harry arrived back in Chatham 29/11/45, in time for Christmas. However, his mother was struggling with cancer and he looked after her. She told him that for the first thirty nights I was home I wasn’t home. “I couldn’t settle down.”  

Date of Discharge: January 5, 1946

CDN 29/11/45(P). In October of 1948 In October of 1948 Harry married Edythe Marion (nee Shaufler) of Tilbury East Twsp., Kent Co., ON. CDN 5/10/48. They would have four children (two boys and two girls) while living on Stanley Avenue. Harry worked for a book store for four years when he decided to open his own business. With $5,500 and a lot of nerve he became the owner and  proprietor of Reid’s Card Shop originally at 54 Fourth St. before moving to King St. which he operated until selling the business in 1980. He was a founding member of Wing 411 RCAF Association. A lifelong resident of Chatham, he was also a great collector on the history of Chatham.

It must have been the best Christmas present he ever had when on 13 August, he and his family made a trip to the Canadian War Plane Heritage Society in Hamilton, so Harry could take a ride in the only flyable Lancaster bomber in Canada at the cost of $1,500, but worth every cent.

Harry passed away in December 2006.

WW II Letters – Reid

From:   Danny Higley

To:       J40451 F/O H. S. Reid

            R.A.F. Station, Syerston, Newark, Nottinghamshire

Date of letter:   June, 5 1945

Envelope

Postmark:  Burton-on-Trent, 05 Jun 1945 To:  J40451 F/O H. S. Reid, R.A.F. Station, Syerston, Newark, Nottinghamshire

Der Bevollmachtigte des Reiches

In Danemark

18 Clarence St,

Burton–on Trent, Staffordshire

June 5, 1945

Well Harry,

Here I am again old man – and to begin with, you must excuse the paper!  It’s about the only stuff I’ve got at the moment.  The paper itself is really good and I couldn’t be bothered to cut the letter head off.

            Well, son, as quick as you like, I’m back in England again and on a spot of leave.  Certainly, get about a bit, eh?  Yes, I flew back a couple of days ago and am reporting back down south after this leave. 

            Don’t mention it yet to anyone at home yet, but I’m going to the far East.  Boy, don’t I have some luck!!  Christ knows how long it will be before I ever get home.  I guess I did join the wrong army.  The one thing that really gets me down is the fact that I’m going out of the first division and into the 6^th!  Gosh, after three and a half years with the “Fighting First” – and now the “Sloppy Sixth”.  But don’t tell anyone at home yet, will you “Rufe”?  I’m going to have to break that news pretty gently.

            Look, do you think there’ll be any chance of seeing you very soon?  I could get over to Newark quite easily if you can manage it.  Let me know won’t you “Oncle”?

            About those stamps, I’m afraid I left Denmark before I could do much about it, but one of my pals is still in Copenhagen and I’ll write and ask him to see what he can do.  OK, Harry?

            I haven’t had any mail from Canada for ages – how’s yours coming through?  Yours was the only letter I received all the time I was in Denmark, and boy was it ever welcome!!

            Say, I do hope things are going better for your mother, Harry.  I was very sorry to hear that she wasn’t too well.  I only hope you are able to get home to see her – I know it would buck her up a lot.

            Well, Rufe, old boy, I guess I just can’t think of anymore to say just now, but do write by return post and let me know if I’ll be able to see you, if I get up that way.

            Oh, incidentally, I’m enclosing the rest of those A. Hitler stamps – if they’re any use to you – and also a few REICHMARK – pretty worthless I’m afraid. 

So, for now, Harry.

As ever,

Danny

 

WW II Letters – Reid

From:   F/O M. Norman

            437 Squadron

            R.C.A.F., B.L.A.

To:       F/O H. Reid J40451

            427 Squadron R.C.A.F.

Teeming, Yorks, England

Date of letter:   August 14, 1945

Envelope

On Active Service Postmark:  Air Post Office 870; 15 Aug 1945; R.A.F Censor 232 To:  F/O H. Reid J40451, 427 Squadron R.C.A.F., Teeming, Yorks, England

August 14 (1945)

Belgium

Dear Hank:

            Glad to receive your last letter and to hear you’re not working too hard.  I guess you haven’t been completely forgotten by (f) air ministry.

            So, you volunteered for occupational force – but, but, Hank – I’d never have thought it of you – and you used to be such a nice boy.  Well, everyone to one’s own taste – as for me – just get me out, I says – fast – didn’t do much good though as here I still sit.  We certainly aren’t killing ourselves with work though – I’ve managed to scrape up 20 hours flying time this month so far plus a 9 day leave.

            How do you like flying over Germany at low level looking at all the bombed towns – you do go down low to have a good look don’t you?  It’s quite revealing up close don’t you think?

            I guess my last letter was a little bitchy, what with living in tents and bugs and stuff.  Well, we are still in same but I’m getting used to it.  We tapped the power line here, swiped some wire and put electricity in our tent, about 8 or 10 of us have it, I have a radio too so connected it.  They were doing a little roofing job here, so – some roll roofing makes a lovely floor for the tent – ahem – we have a lovely floor!  The bugs have abated a trifle but are just ever present in smaller dozens.  – Bitch, bitch, really, we aren’t too badly off, we eat quite well and lately we haven’t been staying here much.  We’ve been on detachment in Oslo, Norway for a time, then went on leave and just came back from a week in Copenhagen.  Last week I got some mail that’s been chasing around since June.

            How was your leave in Edinburgh – as if I couldn’t guess – lovely town that – say Hank – do you ever get a chance to spend a leave here on the continent?  Paris is very nice, even Brussels here is fairly good – it’s something different.  Copenhagen is the real gin spot but we aren’t allowed to go there on leave, we always get in “on duty”, it says here in small print.

            No chance of getting to Brantford for a time – hope not for a time – as I have too much kit and junk to get rid of.  Someone swiped my bike so I won’t have it to worry about.  I finally picked up a camera for myself but don’t think I’ll get rid of it.  You must have quite the pile of souvenirs to cart around, or do you send them home as you get them?

            I hope this note catches up with you before you go home or something as foolish – not that I’d really want you to wait for it and miss the boat.

            Seems like all the “guff” for now – please excuse this “Thom Thumb” notepaper, I’ve got shit twice already for using it, so it’s okay if you give me the blosh.

Best wishes,

Skip

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defense of Britain Medal
Sources	2KRMR, BS3-RH, PSUC-RH,, IODE(N), IODE-IS, VR, CCI-RH, NB, WHATHG, CDN 31/07/04 Feature

Age	born 1922
Birthplace	Chatham
Religion	United Church
When Enlisted	August 20, 1942
Next of Kin	Spence Reid (Father)

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