Douglas Harries
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Royal Naval Air Service (1915–1919)
Royal Air Force (1919–1946)
Douglas Harries | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 March 1893 |
| Died | 6 December 1972 (aged 79) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy (1913–1919) Royal Naval Air Service (1915–1919) Royal Air Force (1919–1946) |
| Service years | 1913–1946 |
| Rank | Air vice-marshal |
| Commands | Polegate Airship Station RAF Ramlah RAF Amman Head of the Intelligence Branch RAF Cranwell No. 23 (Training) Group |
| Conflicts | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Air Force Cross |
Sir Douglas Harries KCB AFC (30 March 1893 – 6 December 1972) was an English first-class cricketer and an officer in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Harries began his military career with the Royal Navy, serving in the early stages of the First World War with the navy. He was seconded to the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915, serving mainly with airships. Following the war, he was permanently transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1919. He served with the Royal Air Force until the end of the Second World War, retiring as an air vice-marshal in 1946. Outside of his military career, Harries played first-class cricket for the Free Foresters.
Harries was born at Sidcup and attended the Britannia Royal Naval College, graduating into the Royal Navy as a midshipman. After graduating he served aboard HMS Defence, HMS Indomitable, HMS Dryad, and HMS Collingwood.[1] By October 1913, he had been promoted to the rank of sub-lieutenant.[2]
He served during the early stages of the First World War with the Royal Navy, before being seconded to the Royal Naval Air Service, where he was the commanding officer of Polegate Airship Station in 1915.[1] He was promoted from the rank of flight lieutenant to flight commander in July 1916.[3] By February 1917, he was a squadron commander at RNAS Kingsnorth.[1][4] In August 1917, he was decorated by Italy with the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.[5] He was seconded to the Airship Branch in April 1918, and was appointed to the Air Ministry as a staff officer in June of the same year.[6] He was awarded the Air Force Cross in the 1919 New Year Honours.[7]