He is commemorated and remembered at each Trainee Gunner Graduation Parade in the award of the Corporal Bradfield Trophy. This is awarded to the JNCO instructor who has been voted by the Trainee Gunners as the most inspirational JNCO throughout their training.
A former Grenadier Guardsman, and Corporal in the East Surrey Regiment, Lesley Harris enlisted in the RAF Regiment on 14 June 1948 as a Gunner Instructor.
No 2816 Rifle Squadron RAF Regiment commanded by Sqn Ldr Edward Park landed in France on 24 Aug 1944. The Squadron’s main task was working in forward areas identified as V1 and V2 rocket sites. By mid-Sept 1944 the Force known as Bow Force part of No 1313 Wing RAF Regiment had moved in to Belgium east of Bruges.
Operation Overlord was the operational name for the largest invasion ever of a defended shoreline from the sea.
Both 2771 Squadron and 2788 Squadron RAF Regiment saw heavy fighting at Monte Cassino in an infantry role as part of the 2nd New Zealand Division and 4th British Division respectively. It was here that RAF Regiment Squadrons 3-inch mortars were a highly-valued asset by Commanders.
Intelligence sources had first reported in 1943, of the advanced work the Germans were carrying out on a variety of pilotless and guided weapons to bombard the UK and disrupt any invasion fleet from forming.
Wing Commander Lander kept a diary of events that ran from the 1-16 March 1945. It gave a graphic description of almost-continuous Close Quarter Fighting, which characterised the struggle for the vital airfield of Meiktila.
Citation for the award of the Military Medal – 1408185 Sergeant Norman Phillip Gerrish 2708 Squadron RAF Regiment.
By December 1944 the XIVth Army was across the Chindwin River and preparing for what the Japanese General Kimura termed “the battle of the Irrawaddy shore” as part of his plan for the defence of Mandalay. Kimura had concentrated the bulk of his forces to defend Mandalay in the belief that it was to be attacked by the whole of the British XIVth Army.
Detachments of the RAF Regiment were involved in their first defensive battle in Western Europe during the Battle of the Ardennes. Those units present at the time were employed to protect RADAR stations – one of the chief commitments of 85 Group.