Page 8 - Harry Brittain

Harry was fiercely proud and also protective of his family, devoting his life with much self-sacrifice
to Alice after she was diagnosed with heart valve problems; when she was in Newcastle hospital
undergoing open heart surgery Harry hitchhiked from Northallerton to Newcastle every single day
after work to visit her. Their family was made complete by the birth of two precious sons, Brian in
1950 and Dereck in 1953; they have many happy memories of parents who brought them up with
happiness and in comfort but also with values of right and wrong and how to live honest,
compassionate lives. He was always there to help out with his sons’ hobbies by travelling to buy
equipment or supporting the bands that they both played in.
With the passage of time and his sons’ marriages, three grandchildren, Paul, Sarah and Alex
added to his family. He was a devoted Grandad and fiercely proud of all his children’s and
grandchildren’s activities and achievements, often regaling them with his stories of his own past
exploits which he sometimes had difficulty finishing with tears of laughter at his memories freely
flowing! He spent many selfless times helping out with DIY at his newly married sons’ houses and
it must also be said that Alice sacrificed holidays to help out alongside him! He also used his
mechanical skills to carry out servicing and repairs to various of his sons’ cars, always finding
ways to save them money.

As he aged, he needed both hips replacing and with his usual indomitable spirit he was soon up
and about riding his faithful bicycle Jemima again.
When he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, just after his first great grandchild James was
born, it was a tremendous blow to all his family; Alice was especially hit hard to see her soul mate
laid so low, especially after all that he had done for her throughout their life together; however, she
said she was thankful that she was able to look after him to the end and he passed away with
nd
Alice, Brian and Dereck by his bedside on 2 July 2001.
A man who lived a full life and who brought help and laughter to all around him.

Without airmen like Harry, committed to working outdoors in all weathers, the pilots and crews of
the Royal Airforce would not have been able to complete their missions. Groundcrews were the
unsung heroes of the RAF.

~ R.I.P. Harry ~