Harold's War: Family at War

My Family at War

My mother (Gladys) and father (Syd) both lost brothers in the First World War. In the 1939-45 War, my sister, Joan, lost her first husband and the bother of Norma, my future wife, was killed.

My Mother's Brother

Gladys' brother, Cliff Richards, was serving in the trenches in France in 1917. According to a story later told to me, Cliff was the third lit off a match when he was struck in the head by a German bullet and killed instantly.

My Father's Brother

Harold Herman, for whom I was named, was at Gallipoli, although he was not in the Anzac Day landings. He was wounded in fighting in November 1915 and evacuated to a ship. He died on the ship and was buried at sea.

My Sister's Husband

My sister, Joan, lost her first husband, Harry Wright (no relation to Allen) in the RAAF in Europe (after D Day). He was in a mixed unit of Lancasters, flying for bomber command, as a pathfinder, when his plane collided with another Lancaster, while fully laden with bombs and fuel, over Nevers. (Pilot Officer Wilson Harry Emanuel Wright, 467 Sqd. RAAF, died 16 July 1944.)

My Wife's Brother

My wife, Norma, lost her brother, Hal Dent, in the RAAF over the Bay of Biscay in 1943. He was flying in Sunderlands and Halifaxes in a reconnaissance unit, searching for U-Boats and surface raiding vessels. His plane was reported missing in action and neither it nor its crew was ever found. (Hal Dent's last letter, written to his mother on 30 October 1943.)

return to

Introduction

Aside: RAAF

up to Contents


	My Family at War My mother (Gladys) and father (Syd) both lost brothers in the First World War. In the 1939-45 War, my sister, Joan, lost her first husband and the bother of Norma, my future wife, was killed.
	My Mother's Brother Gladys' brother, Cliff Richards, was serving in the trenches in France in 1917. According to a story later told to me, Cliff was the third lit off a match when he was struck in the head by a German bullet and killed instantly. My Father's Brother Harold Herman, for whom I was named, was at Gallipoli, although he was not in the Anzac Day landings. He was wounded in fighting in November 1915 and evacuated to a ship. He died on the ship and was buried at sea.				My Sister's Husband My sister, Joan, lost her first husband, Harry Wright (no relation to Allen) in the RAAF in Europe (after D Day). He was in a mixed unit of Lancasters, flying for bomber command, as a pathfinder, when his plane collided with another Lancaster, while fully laden with bombs and fuel, over Nevers. (Pilot Officer Wilson Harry Emanuel Wright, 467 Sqd. RAAF, died 16 July 1944.) My Wife's Brother My wife, Norma, lost her brother, Hal Dent, in the RAAF over the Bay of Biscay in 1943. He was flying in Sunderlands and Halifaxes in a reconnaissance unit, searching for U-Boats and surface raiding vessels. His plane was reported missing in action and neither it nor its crew was ever found. (Hal Dent's last letter, written to his mother on 30 October 1943.)

	return to
	Introduction Aside: RAAF				up to Contents