A bearer party from 216 (Para) Signals Squadron based at Merville Garrison in Colchester, carried the coffin of D-Day veteran Harry Read, who died at his home in Bournemouth on 14th December 2021 aged 97.
Harry Read was a 20-year-old Royal Corps of Signals wireless operator in World War Two; a member the 3rd Parachute Brigade of the 6th Airborne Division, landing in Normandy 77 years ago.
After the War, he left the British Army to serve in The Salvation Army for the rest of his life, rising to the rank of Commissioner.
As well as being a passionate Salvationist, he was a proud great-great grandfather.
In 2016, Harry was awarded the Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur for the role he played in the country’s liberation from the Nazis in June 1944 and in July 2019, he was awarded The Salvation Army’s highest honour – The Order of the Founder.
In 2019, he completed a tandem parachute jump with the Parachute Regiment's Red Devils Display Team, landing safely on the same DZ as he did in the War exactly 75 years later aged 95 years old. The Red Devils' Cpl Mike French, who was Harry's parachuting partner, also attended the funeral today.
Leader of The Salvation Army, Commissioner Anthony Cotterill, said: “The Salvation Army and its worldwide ministry have been enriched beyond words by the remarkable service of Commissioner Harry Read. A bold, caring and innovative leader who challenged us all to be brave and to dare greater things for Jesus Christ. His legacy of poems and songs is a treasure trove of inspiration and insight that will continue to help us in the days ahead.”
Commissioner Harry Read O.F. Ch.L.H 1924 - 2021
