World War II Pilot Who Lived Through Four Plane Crashes Dies at 103

Reginald Harrison didn’t have a nickname when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943. 

But after crashing his plane a second time trying to liftoff for a mission in 1944, fellow pilots started calling him “Crash.” Little did they know at the time that Harrison would crash two more times before leaving the service prior to the end of World War II.  

Harrison, 103, died on Nov. 20 in Saskatchewan, Canada, according to CTV News. 

Harrison living past the century mark is kind of amazing when one considers he nearly died four times in fiery plane crashes. Overall, Harrison survived 19 missions during WWII for the Royal Canadian Air Force. But despite his bravery and decorated service time, friends and family recalled Harrison as a humble soul as he was laid to rest after a funeral service on Dec. 6. 

“His demeanor was full of patience and pride and caring for everybody else except himself,” said Brian Swidrovich, a friend of Harrison.

Earning His Nickname 

Harrison was raised as a farm kid near Pheasant Forks, about 77 miles northeast of Regina. He marveled at the planes that flew above the farm, daydreaming about joining the Royal Canadian Air Force as he plowed fields. 

Harrison pursued his dream, earning his wings in April 1943. He was assigned to a base in Croft, England. 

Less than a year later, the first crash happened. Harrison’s crew was returning from a mission when a bomb detonated on the base’s landing strip. The explosion ignited a fire, which reached Harrison’s plane, and the pilot endured serious burns, according to the Bomber Command Museum of Canada. Despite the injuries, Harrison returned to duty within a couple of months.  

Not long after he came back to the base, Harrison crashed again in July 1944. He was trying to take off when an engine failed, and the plane collided with a stone wall on a neighboring farm. The crash resulted in a blaze, prompting bombs on the aircraft to explode. Harrison was knocked out, and the accident might have spelled the end for the young pilot if he wasn’t found on the wing and transported to safety. 

It was after his second brush with disaster that he was given the “Crash” moniker. Then came his third crash, almost a month later. 

Due to inclement weather, bombers were told to fly to an alternate airfield. But for Harrison and the crew members, the message didn’t come in time. Since they couldn’t land at Croft, Harrison tried to steer toward another airfield, but fuel was running low. Once the engine began sputtering, Harrison urged the crew to bail out. They did, and everyone survived the mishap. Hiking through hills near Cumberland, England, they finally reached a farmhouse and received help. 

Perhaps believing that switching planes would bring about better fortunes, “Crash” started flying an Avro Lancaster in late 1944. However, on Dec. 1, Harrison’s plane was struck by an assault from his own men, mistaking his Avro Lancaster for an enemy aircraft. Harrison decided to crash-land the plane, but each crew member landed safely. 

“He says he fooled the Grim Reaper four times, and his commanding officer said, ‘I don’t think you’re going to make it the fifth time. Reg, you better go home,” Swidrovich said.

Life After the Air Force 

After leaving the service and coming home to Saskatchewan, Harrison met his wife, Jean, and the couple married and raised a family. Harrison found a job with Veterans Land Service and spent 40 years with the organization. When not working, Harrison could be found golfing, curling, or gardening. 

“Crash” didn’t share his heroic and often star-crossed stories of World War II until later in life. Brian Eikel, executive director of the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, said Harrison was a valuable conduit to the past. 

“Having somebody that we could speak to about what it was like on D-Day, he could tell us that personally. He had all these stories,” Eikel said. 

Harrison’s wartime record yielded several honors, like the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and he was ranked a knight by the French Legion of Honour. Harrison also became an honorary pilot with the Saskatoon Police Service Air Support Unit. 

Returns to Fly at 100 

In 2023, Harrison celebrated his 100th birthday by hopping into a Tiger Moth, his first aircraft. 

“Men like Reg don’t come around very often, and we all have to be grateful that they did,” Swidrovich said.

Anthony Towstego, another friend of Harrison’s, said the veteran’s death is a substantial loss to Canada.  

“We will never see the Greatest Generation people like him again,” he said. 

Towstego recorded video of Harrison before he died, saying the real heroes were the thousands of men who didn’t make it home after World War II. 

“The heroes are over there. The ones that never came back. Never had a chance to get married, do the things that we did. I think they’re the real heroes.”