454 and 459 RAAF Squadrons
Flight Officer Charlie W. (Shorty) HARRISON
459 RAAF Squadron
Service No. 412955
Date of Birth: 20 Oct 1919
Place of Birth: ANNANDALE, NSW
Date of Enlistment: 15 Aug 1941
Date of Discharge: 12 Sep 1945
Rank: Flying Officer
Date of Death: 22 Dec 1997
​
<<<<< >>>>>
Crew:
-
Colin Daking - Pilot
-
Charlie Harrison - Nav B
-
Hector Ford - WAG
-
Sydney Hodkin - (RAF) WAG
​
Charlie Harrison who trained in Rhodesia completed a tour of operational duty – on both night and day maritime search and strike sorties – in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas with 459 Squadron, from Egyptian, Libyan and Cyprenaican bases. Fitted with ASV and depth charges or bombs the Hudsons worked ceaselessly to support the 8th Army in its relentless westward drive across the Northern African coast. Despite two severe landing crashes, Charlie completed his tour successfully and instructed at 75 OUT (RAF).
​
After discharge Charlie was a company secretary and a committed charity worker. He served the Squadrons, Association for some years as a Committee Member.
Harrison, Daking & Ford waiting for a train at El Alamein en route to 459 - 1.8.43 - note the pile of kit.
at OTU before joining 459