Roll of Honour

Chris (Harry) Huggins

Like so many others, his Christian name was never used amongst his airborne comrades and probably few even knew it. To us all he was simply 'Harry'.

He joined 9 Indep Para Sqn in 1965 and served 13 years with the `Sqn'. During this period he was to serve several tours in Northern Ireland and some in more relaxed locations, which included Germany, Denmark, Hong Kong, Belize, Kenya and Canada.

On completion of his military service Harry moved back to his beloved Yorkshire. It was some time after leaving the Army that Harry decided to take up motor cycle touring with a local club. Returning home from one evening meeting he suffered a crash resulting in permanent spinal damage. Confinement to a wheel chair did little to dampen his humour or his infectious laugh. Sadly the spinal injury later caused the amputation of both legs — but he still maintained his love of life.

He attended the 2012 AEA reunion in Hull and promised to join us in Bournemouth for this year's reunion. Unfortunately he suffered a severe setback in his general health and following a short illness passed away on 25 July 2013.

His funeral, held in Middlesbrough, was attend by many of his airborne colleagues supported by the AEA standard, carried by John Parker.