RCAF pilot and Flying Officer Robert Douglas “Bob” Harris, was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on July 31, 1913. After moving with his family to England, Harris returned to Canada at age 26 to work as a naturalist in charge of wildlife management on the Big Grass Marsh, Ducks Unlimited’s first restoration project in Manitoba. Harris boarded on a farm in the nearby town of Langruth and it was here he met his future wife Margaret, the teacher of the one-room school.
Robert and Margaret married on April 25, 1942 and he enlisted in the RCAF in October of that year. During pilot training in Brandon, Dauphin, Regina, Saskatoon and Maitland, Nova Scotia, Harris was described by his instructors to be a ‘sound pilot’, ‘a good officer who has been keen and hard-working at all times,’ mature, quiet, reserved and studious.
Harris set sail overseas on a troop ship from Halifax on March 30, 1944, disembarking in the UK on April 7th. After being processed through the personnel reception centre in Bournemouth, he would continue his training with the #20 Advanced Flying Unit beginning May 9th until his move to RAF Peplow on August 1st.
Harris was an avid letter-writer, writing multiple letters home to his wife Margaret each week. Harris also maintained a keen interest in cycling, photography and nature even when stationed overseas. Robert Harris was working on advanced flight training at RAF Peplow when on July 31, Harris’ 31st birthday, his daughter Betty was born. Sadly, the two would never meet.
Following the Dessau raid March 7, 1945, Harris was reported missing, presumed dead. His remains were never recovered. On December 12, 1945, Harris would be certified presumed dead by the RCAF.
Memorials to Harris can be found at the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England (Panel 279) and the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln, UK (Phase 1, Panel 46). In Canada, a memorial to those lost in the war can be seen at the Bomber Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta. Harris is also memorialized on page 522 of Canada’s Book of Remembrance which can be viewed both online and in the Room of Remembrance in the Visitor Welcome Centre on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
The Harris Crew 