The Airmen's Stories - P/O D S Harrison

David Stewart Harrison was born in Sidcup, Kent on 10th June 1911, the son of Gerald Stewart Harrison and Lizzie Margaret Harrison.

He went to Tonbridge School and was employed as a Bank Cashier in Eton when he joined the RAFVR on 16th January 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up on 1st September, Harrison was posted to 4 ITW on 13th December, went to 9 FTS Hullavington on 11th May 1940, moved to 6 OTU, Sutton Bridge to convert to Hurricanes on 17th August and joined 238 Squadron at Middle Wallop on 12th September.

He had married Ruth Sharpe in mid-1940 in Eton.

Harrison made a forced-landing outside Padstock, Dorset on the 25th after a combat with enemy aircraft.

He was shot down by Me109s over the Solent on 28th September 1940. His Hurricane, P3836, went into the sea and Harrison was reported 'Missing'.

His body was washed ashore at Brighton on 9th October and he was buried in St Andrew's churchyard, Tangmere.

He is commemorated by a plaque at Tonbridge School (below).