Harry began his education at Prestfelde School in Shrewsbury, later continuing at Wrekin. He showed a strong enthusiasm for sports, and in 1939 he represented the North of England Public Schools in Rugby. In addition to this achievement, Harry played for both the Shrewsbury Rugby Club and the Severnside Lawn Tennis Club.

Early Career and Military Involvement

After leaving school, Harry spent a brief period working in his father’s business. Alongside his daytime employment, he served as a Sergeant in the Home Guard during the evenings. On his nineteenth birthday in 1941, Harry made the significant decision to join the Royal Air Force. Much of his initial flying training took place in the United States, specifically in Florida and Alabama. Upon returning to England in 1942, he was promoted to Flight Sergeant and subsequently received a commission. Harry then spent fourteen months as a Flying Instructor based in Scotland, imparting his knowledge and expertise to new instructors.

Operational Service and Ultimate Sacrifice

Harry was assigned to 76 Squadron, stationed at RAF Holme in Yorkshire, where he flew the Handley Page Halifax, a four-engined heavy bomber. From this base, he undertook several operational missions over France and Germany. On one such mission, departing at 23:47hrs on 15^th July 1944, Harry and his crew, along with 233 other aircraft, set out to attack a site at Nucourt in Northern France, which was used as a storage facility for V1 flying bombs and the Bois des Jardines launch site. Both attacks were deemed a success. Tragically, their aircraft, MZ-524, did not return from this operation. Harry and his three fellow airmen were initially reported missing, and it was nearly a year before confirmation came that all had perished. Their communal grave was discovered by chance by the British military in the small cemetery at Courcelles-les-Gisors, where they remain the only Allied military personnel interred. The precise cause of the crash was never determined.

Elder son of OW Captain Harry Steward, OBE, MC, JP, & Sybil M. Steward of Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

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Revised: November 2025