Harris, Herbert

Herbert Adams Harris, known as Bert, was born in Christchurch on 20 February 1918. He was the son of James and Eva Harris.

He won a national scholarship in 1931 and attended Christchurch Boys’ High School. In about 1937 he came to New Plymouth, lived on Powderham Street, and worked as a clerk for the Public Trust. In December 1940 he earned university accountancy qualifications.

Bert played badminton at the St. Mary’s Club and was a keen cricketer. He played for the New Plymouth Old Boys’ Club when it won its first premier grade title in the 1937-1938 season. Later he served on the club’s management committee.

In 1941 he volunteered for service in the Royal New Zealand Airforce. His initial training was at Bell Block airport, and later at Ohakea.

Bert married Irene Luscombe at St. Mary’s Church on 18 October 1941 and left for the United Kingdom in December. On 8 November 1942 he was commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer with 7th Squadron.

Flying over Europe to Hamburg, on his eighth operational flight, his plane failed to return to base. His death is assumed to have occurred on 10 November 1942.

Herbert Harris’s name, along with other servicemen, is on a plaque inside St. Mary’s Church.

Documents

Junior national scholarships  The Press 9 January 1931

Examination successes Taranaki Daily News 23 May 1941

Books

The Honours Board: a history of the New Plymouth Old Boys' Cricket Club and Western Park (2015) by Brian Beer - page 155.