By JONATHON HOWARD
A WORLD War II veteran and one of Australia’s dwindling number of Bomber Command gunners passed away on Christmas Eve aged 91.
Harry James Cole Bentley, DFC, was one of only three remaining members of 467 Squadron who had received a Distinguished Flying Cross after the war ended in 1945.
A Coolum Beach resident, Harry lived life in the fast lane as a youngster and according to RAAF Association of Tewantin Noosa president Patrick Clifford, being a gunner was not his first choice.
Mr Clifford spoke highly of Harry and he will give the opening address and eulogy during Harry’s memorial service on Saturday, 10 January.
“Harry chose the RAAF hoping to become a pilot,” Mr Clifford said.
“But unfortunately, during his final flight test and after completing all his requirements, he forgot to put his seatbelt on before take-off.
“He was instructed to land the plane and was never given another chance to fly.”
Instead Harry served as a mid-upper gunner, which was considered one of the most dangerous roles during the war.
Harry undertook more than 40 bombing raids as part of 467 Squadron in Lancaster bombers under the Royal Australian Air Force.
He helped pave the way for the D-Day landings and flew hair-raising bombing raids over Nazi Germany at altitudes as low as 400 feet.
Harry played a role in one of the biggest seaborne invasions in history, beginning with the invasion of German-occupied western Europe, which led to the liberation of France from Nazi control and contributed to an Allied victory in the war.
He is also being considered for an honours award for his role in saving France.
Deborah Bentley, Harry’s daughter, said the family was deeply saddened by his passing, but they would ensure his legacy lived on through his family.
“We are proud of dad and he will be missed,“ she said.
“The legacy of his participation in WWII will be passed down through his family.”
Photos have also surfaced of Harry meeting with then Australian Prime Minister John Curtin who visited 467 Squadron in the UK.
The photo shows Harry and his squadron colleagues talking candidly with Prime Minister Curtin just prior to a bombing raid on the marshalling yards at Tours.
Between January 1942 and April 1945, 467 Squadron flew a total of 3833 missions and dropped 17,578 tons of bombs, all with the motto “fall on enemies ferociously”.
The squadron suffered heavy losses in the course of its operations and 760 personnel were killed, of whom 284 were Australian. Some 118 aircraft were lost.
Originally from Melbourne and spending many of his final years in Coolum, Harry was an active charter member of the RAAF Association of Tewantin Noosa and is survived by his children and grandchildren.
A memorial service for Harry will take place at St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church Coolum Beach on Saturday, 10 January, from 12.30pm.
As Harry was a member of the Coolum Peregian RSL all members were asked to attend, if possible, and veterans were asked to wear their service medals.
A wake will be held at the Coolum Peregian RSL Sub Branch Inc Memorial Hall following the service.
