Hon. Tracy Muggli: Honourable senators, today I rise to recognize the life and service of a Canadian hero, the life of Reginald “Crash” Harrison, who was born August 16, 1922, in Pheasant Forks, Saskatchewan, not far from Regina.
In 1941 he went to the Royal Canadian Air Force, or RCAF, pre-enlistment school in Regina, and in the summer of 1943 Reg and his friend “Buddy” Holloway crossed the Atlantic to England. Whenever Buddy wrote his fiancée, Jean, back home, he’d tell Reg to include something at the end of the letter because, “You never know, you might meet her one day,” Buddy would say. Once there, Reg joined 431 Squadron of the RCAF, flying Halifax bombers. He flew 19 missions in total, facing enemy fighters and the constant risk of death. He lost friends, including his good friend Buddy.
On one fateful trip on March 15, 1944, a bomb failed to drop during a mission in France and later exploded after landing, killing two members of his crew. Reg suffered serious burns and spent 10 weeks at the East Grinstead Hospital burn unit, where experimental plastic surgeries were developed, and whose patients became part of the “Guinea Pig Club,” a mutual support network for a courageous group of airmen who survived horrific injuries and underwent these early skin grafts. The club had reunions every two years, which Reg attended until the year 2000.
His nickname “Crash” was no accident. He survived four separate crashes during his service. Each time he survived was a testament to his resilience and a touch of fate.
Following his fourth crash, Reg recalled a meeting with the squadron commanding officer telling him:
Well, Crash, you’ve cheated the Grim Reaper four times. I have a feeling you’re not going to be lucky the fifth time, so I’m going to screen you and send you back home.
Upon returning home, he sought out Jean, whom I mentioned earlier, the fiancée of his fallen friend Buddy. Planning to stay two days, he stayed four.
Reg returned to Saskatchewan and took a job with the Veterans’ Land Administration in November 1945. He continued to correspond with Jean, went to visit her in Ottawa the following summer and the two were married on December 23, 1946, spending 43 years together before Jean’s passing.
Reg and Jean built a family, having three daughters — Laurie, Marion and Susan. They lived in Regina and then Saskatoon, where Reg helped war veterans obtain farms and other supports through federal programs from the Veterans’ Land Administration.
To recognize his service, along with his numerous medals, Reg was recognized as an Honorary Snowbird in 2018.
Reg passed away one week ago today, at the age of 103. May his memory inspire us to face our own challenges with persistence, to cherish our friendships and to live lives of purpose. Thank you, Reginald “Crash” Harrison, for your courage, life and service to our country.
Thank you, meegwetch.