Heroic World War II pilot celebrates 106th birthdayth Celebrate your birthday by flying over Ayrshire.
Harry Richardson completed an incredible 60 missions over two tours and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his service to his country.
During the great conflict with the Nazis, Harry served on the Wellington and Liberators as part of a bomber squad.
Just a few weeks ago, he was back in the cockpit as he flew over Ailsa Craig with special birthday lights, thanks to Prestwick Flight Club.
The Royal Air Force veteran, who raised his family and lived most of his life in Prestwick, reached a grand old age on Thursday, February 8th.
Harry was also an original member of the Royal Air Force Association of Prestwick (RAFA) and still continues to go there every Saturday night for dances.
And one of Ayrshire’s oldest residents has revealed the secret to longevity is “good genes and lots of deep breathing”.
Father-of-two Harry, who has two great-grandchildren and five grandchildren, told Ayrshire Live:
“We had a family celebration at Scotts in Troon with some friends and grandchildren.
“For me, it’s just something that happens, and it happens every year.
“I think the trick is choosing the right parents and making sure the genes are good.
“Of course, stay active both physically and mentally.
“Try not to get too excited all the time. It’s important to stay calm and take lots of deep breaths.”
Harry was born in Leicester in 1918 and attended school in Bolton.
In addition to his service in World War II, he also spent time training airmen in Avro Ansons, before making his second tour of Malaysia, based in India.
After the war he moved to Prestwick, where he settled with his wife Margaret and had two daughters, Penny Richardson (79) and Linda Gordon (76).
Harry worked as an air traffic controller at Atlantic Air Traffic Control.
He enjoyed retirement, traveled frequently, and, although in his mid-80s, he and his second wife, Marjorie, became famous as the oldest students at Air College, where they both studied computing. I did.
Harry was also an original member of the Royal Air Force Association of Prestwick (RAFA) and still continues to go there every Saturday night for dances.
But his love of flying never left him and thanks to Graham, Findlay and Alan at Prestwick Flying Club he was able to take to the skies again.
Harry, who now lives in Ochiltree with his daughter Penny, added:
“Finlay flew me from Prestwick Airport to Ailsa Craig.
“It was very interesting to see the top of Ailsa Craig and I was very surprised to see that the top was all covered in grass.
“I used to go to Wolverhampton every year and get veterans on the plane, but now there aren’t enough people left to organize.
“My love for airplanes has never left me.”
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