Sask. Second World War veteran who survived four plane crashes dies at 103

Family, friends and fellow veterans remember Reginald 'Crash' Harrison, a Second World War veteran who survived multiple plane crashes and lived to the age of 103.

A Second World War veteran pilot who survived 19 missions and four plane crashes is being remembered by friends, family and the aviation community for his bravery and humility.

Reginald “Crash” Harrison died on Nov. 20 at 103-years-old. His funeral was held Saturday.

“His demeanor was full of patience and pride and caring for everybody else except himself,” said Brian Swidrovich, a friend of Harrison.

Harrison grew up on a farm near Pheasant Forks, about 125 kilometres northeast of Regina, according to his obituary. He watched planes pass overhead as he ploughed the fields, inspiring him to join the Royal Canadian Air Force.

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He earned his wings in April 1943 at age 20 and was posted to Croft, England.

His first crash occurred in March 1944, when a bomb exploded on the landing strip as his crew returned from a mission and the plane caught fire, according to the Bomber Command Museum of Canada archives. Harrison suffered serious burns but returned to duty two months later.

In July 1944, one of his engines failed during takeoff, and the aircraft crashed into a stone wall on a nearby farm. The crash sparked a fire that caused the bombs to detonate, according to the archives. Harrison was found unconscious on the wing and carried to safety.

That’s when he earned the nickname “Crash,” a name he would live up to two more times. His third crash happened about a month later.

Poor weather forced bombers to divert to an alternate airfield, but Harrison and his crew did not receive the message. Unable to land at Croft and low on fuel as they headed to another airfield, Harrison ordered the crew to bail out when the engine began to sputter. They hiked through the hills of Cumberland, England, eventually reaching a farmhouse and finding help, according to the archives.

Later that year, Harrison began flying an Avro Lancaster. On Dec. 1, his aircraft was struck by friendly fire from forces who mistook it for an enemy plane. The crew later had to crash land but were safely evacuated.

“He says he fooled the Grim Reaper four times, and his commanding officer said, ‘I don’t think you’re going to make it the fifth time. Reg, you better go home,’” Swidrovich said.

After returning to Canada, Harrison met his Jean, the love of his life. The two married and started a family. He worked for Veterans Land Service for nearly four decades and spent much of his free time curling, golfing and gardening, according to his obituary.

In his later years, he began sharing his wartime experiences publicly.

“Having somebody that we could speak to about what it was like on D-Day, he could tell us that personally. He had all these stories,” said Brian Eikel, executive director of the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, who described Harrison as a connection to the past.

Harrison earned numerous honours for his service, including the rank of Knight of the French Legion of Honour, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the King Charles III Coronation Medal and an honorary pilot designation from the Saskatoon Police Service Air Support Unit, according to his obituary.

At age 100, he returned to the sky in a Tiger Moth — the aircraft he first learned to fly.

“Men like Reg don’t come around very often, and we all have to be grateful that they did,” Swidrovich said.

“The loss of Reg in our community, but also in Canada is substantial. We will never see the Greatest Generation people like him again,” said Anthony Towstego, a friend of Harrison.

Towstego says Harrison often spoke about those who never returned home from the war.

“The heroes are over there. The ones that never came back. Never had a chance to get married, do the things that we did. I think they’re the real heroes,” Harrison said in a video Towstego provided to CTV News.

Harrison’s words serve as a reminder of the sacrifice of an entire generation and of the humility he carried throughout his life.

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