The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H T Perry

Harry Thomas Perry was born in early 1917, the son of Arthur Herbert and Gertrude Annie Perry (nee Adams), of Saffron Walden.

He was educated at Newport Grammar School. After leaving he was employed by Peters, Elwortly and Moore, accountants in Cambridge.

Perry joined the RAFVR in 1939 as an Airman u/t for Operations Room duties. Called up on 1st September 1939, he later volunteered for aircrew duties and joined 23 Squadron at Collyweston on 18th July 1940 as a Radar Operator.

On 30th October 1940, operating from Ford, Perry was one of the crew of Blenheim L6721 on a routine night patrol. The aircraft crashed at Orchard Way Road, South Bersted after R/T failure in deteriorating weather conditions. P/O AA Atkinson, F/O HJ Woodward (pilot) and Perry were all killed.

Perry was 23. He is buried in Saffron Walden Cemetery.