Gunner Harry Garcia

Old Bromley Scouter Broadcasts

An exciting story

Harry Garcia, a gunner of a Coastal Command Lockheed Hudson, whose home is at 239 Southlands Road, Bromley, told an exciting story on the radio recently.

The pilot of the aircraft also gave an account of the incident when the plane, flying over the sea near the Norwegian coast, encountered three enemy ships.  They dropped their bombs but their plane was damaged by anti-aircraft fire.  After nearly crashing they set a course for home, but Garcia reported that the wireless operator was wounded.  As there was no one else to take over the radio. Garcia did so, although it was the first time he had worked it on an operational trip.  He sent an S.O.S. and kept in touch with his base until they made a safe landing.  It was very largely due to his efforts that they were able to reach home.

Mr Garcia is a Rover Scout of the 15th Bromley Group and he has been connected with the movement for many years, joining as a Cub.  There is no doubt that all his friends and colleagues here will feel very proud of him.

Harry Garcia was the son of Cecil Francis and Mabel Emma Garcia of Bickey (Bromley), Kent.  After this reported incident, he obviously became a full wireless operator for the RAF (no. 931532) in Squadron 220, and he was listed as this in his final journey.  

Sadly, Harry was killed six months after this article was published (10th August 1942), when the aircraft he was serving on, the Fortress Il FK207,  crashed near Nutts Corner, Northern Ireland, with the loss of its six crew.

Harry is buried at St Catherine Church of Ireland Churchyard, at Killead in County Antrim.  He was aged 20 years.

Sources:
Bromley & District Times, 13th February 1942
Details of the crash – RAF Command website
CWGC website entry

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