Flying Officer Harry James Scutchings Cargill
- Rank
- Flying Officer
- Service number
- 406193
- Unit
- Royal Australian Air Force 45 Squadron
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- Yazagyo, Burma
- Date of death
- 17 December 1944
- Age
- 25
- Plaque number
- L117
- Dedicated by
- Family on 16 November 2019
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Flying Officer Harry James Scutchings Cargill was born in Perth in March 1919 and at the time of his enlistment lived with his parents, David and Annie Cargill in Mount Lawley. He had one brother.
He was educated at Inglewood Primary School and later attended Perth Boys School. Harry was an above average student, attaining eight subjects in his junior certificate. He later qualified as an accountant and was employed at Elder Smith and Company.
A keen sportsman and gregarious by nature, he enjoyed tennis and water sports and was a regular attendee at many social events.
Prior to 1939, Harry was a member of the general duties branch of the Citizen Air Force. At the outbreak of hostilities he was called up for the duration of the war and for 12 months thereafter. He enlisted in Perth in September 1940 and was immediately posted for flying training in Victoria. Further training was undertaken in other centres in the eastern states.
In July 1941 Harry embarked for service overseas, staging through Egypt before joining air headquarters in India in January 1942.
Until being posted to 45 Squadron of the Royal Air Force in March 1944, he participated in air operations with 11, 2 and 240 Squadrons. In February 1943 he was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer.
45 Squadron was relocated to Burma from Egypt in February 1942 as part of a desperate attempt to slow or stop the Japanese, but was soon forced to re-form in India.
Re-equipped with the de Havilland Mosquito VI, the squadron engaged in conversion activities from February to September 1944. It then resumed active missions gaining a reputation as a bridge-buster.
Flying Officer Harry James Scutchings Cargill, service number CX25086 of Royal Australian Air Force 45 Squadron, was killed in action on 17 December 1944 while on operations over Burma. He was 25 years of age.
He is buried in the Imphal War Cemetery, India.