scamptonchurch.org · Launders, and the children settled in Tunbridge Wells and Harry was educated...
Transcript of scamptonchurch.org · Launders, and the children settled in Tunbridge Wells and Harry was educated...
PilotOfficerOliverHarryLaunders(Gravenumber38)
Knownas'HarryLaunders'
HarryLaundersfatherwasacharteredaccountantandworkedforanumberofcompaniesinthe
FarEastandSouthAmerica.Harrywasthesecondoffivechildren;hewasborninPara,Brazilin
1914.HisfatherdiedsuddenlywhileonleavewithhisfamilyinJerseyin1921.Hiswidow,May
Launders,andthechildrensettledinTunbridgeWellsandHarrywaseducatedatSkinners'
School.
Heleftschoolintheearlythirtiesandworkedforatimeasafarmhandtosupporthismother
andyoungersiblingsbuteventuallyjoinedtheMetropolitanPoliceandafterashorttimeonthe
beatjoinedtheCID.Helefttheforcein1936,commentingthathehadtotelltoomanyliesto
extractthetruth!HejoinedtheRAFasanAircraftmancirca1937.Heelectedtobecomeaircrew
androsetotherankofSgt,qualifyinginitiallyasanavigatorthenasapilot.In1939hewas
grantedacommissionandmarriedmymotherMargaretLaunders.(Theirfatherswere
brothers.)
Mysoninlawwaskindenoughtoobtainthe83SquadronOperationsRecordBookfromNo51
SquadronHistoryTeamatRAFWaddington.Intheircoveringletter,theynotedthatP/O
Laundersisfirstmentionedon21April1940asamemberF/LtPitcairn-Hill'screw.Harryflew19
sortieswithF/LtPitcairn-Hillbetween21Apriland30June1940andtwomoresortieswith
W/CmdrSisson.Harry'sfistsortieascaptainwason4/5July(amassattackonthe
SCHARNHORST).Theentryon7/8Julyreads'Whilereturningfrom'aboveoperation(target
A.161)thisaircraftcrashednearCLACTON.Allcrewwerekilled(P/oLaunders,SgtHallett,Sgt
HowardandSgtKinton.
PilotOfficerOliver‘Harry’Launders
WiththankstoNickLaunders(P/OHarryLaundersson)forprovidingtheinformation