Writing Home 4: Harry Simpson Harry Simpson (actual name Henry ) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Writing Home 4: Harry Simpson Harry Simpson (actual name Henry ) Harry’s Par Har aren ents was the only son in the Simpson family. He was inspired by the ‘dog fights’ he saw taking place in the skies above Biggin Hill to join the RAF when he was only 18. The painful separation of this close-knit family is obvious in the emotional letters between Harry and his mother who would always start her letters with ‘Darling son’.

Writing Home 4: Harry Simpson Letter from Harry to his family 24th November 1943: My Dear Mum, Dad, Connie and Jean Just a letter to let you know I am O.K. and hope you are the same. I hope you got my last letter with the … enclosed. Well no doubt you have heard how Berlin was — well we were on both those raids. I will tell you all about it when I come home. I will be getting leave from next Tuesday. I received books today O.K. Well that is about all for now. So cheerio and don’t worry God Bless you all All my love Harry xxxxxxxxx

Writing Home 4: Harry Simpson Harry served as an RAF flight engineer in Bomber Command. He was away on a mission for his 21 st birthday. This is a birthday card from Harry’s Mum.

Writing Home 4: Harry Simpson A week after his 21 st birthday Harry’s aircraft failed to return during a mission to attack Versailles the day after D-Day. The Simpson’s received a telegram on 8 th June, 1944, informing them that Harry was missing as a result of air operations on the night of 7 th /8 th June.

Writing Home 4: Harry Simpson A letter from Wing Commander Garner saying there may be hope that Harry could still be found alive as a Prisoner of War.

Writing Home 4: Harry Simpson After an agonising six month wait, the family received a telegram with the tragic news that Harry had lost his life in action. Harry was awarded the distinguished flying medal in 1946 for his ‘utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.’