F/Lt Harry Lea, DFC

[BruceMk11]

Hi,

I've found the following details re the service career of this pilot. Any further information would be appreciated (ie service number, claims, DFC citation, etc)

43 Sqn 1941-43

127 Sqn 1944/45; 'B' Flight Commander

Claims:

12/11/42: Do 217

16/3/43: Me 210

Flew for European Airlines postwar, retiring to Portugal. He passed away in August 2008.

[alieneyes1]

Service number for Harold Rodney Lea from LG 121074

RAF Commands has him with 43 Sqn on Operation Jubilee. As well as the DFC citation

http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/20437.php

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations:

Distinguished Flying Cross.
Flight Lieutenant Harold Rodney LEA (121074), R.A.F.V.R., 127 Sqn.
This officer has set a fine example of devotion to duty over a long period of operational flying. He has completed a large number of sorties including many attacks against heavily defended targets. In operations against the enemy's railway systems, Flight Lieutenant Lea has assisted in the destruction of five locomotives. He has at all times proved himself to be a keen and resourceful pilot.
Fifth Supplement (LG 37142 dated 22 Jun 45) to LG dated 19 Jun 45

Regards,

Dave

[BruceMk11]

Thanks Dave, just what I was after.

I've recently finished reading Ted Smith's 'Spitfire Diary', in which Harry Lea is referred to on numerous occasions, hence my interest.

[Andy_Ingham]

Bruce

I have some more info on Harry Lea from my research into 127Sqn.

Post Harry Lea flew commercial aircraft.
On 7 January 1975 his BAC-111 Airliner was hijacked on a domestic flight from Manchester to London. The hijacker demanded a ransom and to be flown to Paris. In an attempt to deceive the hijacker the airliner was flown to Stansted where the hijacker attempted to escape but was detained by the police.

Contact me at andy@127squadron.co.uk if you want more info.

Andy

[Larry]

Which airline was that in 1975?

[alieneyes1]

British Airways.

There's a file on it at Kew: http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ls/r/C11263619

Regards,

Dave