03/01/2024
Harry George Peace.
So, who was he?
When he passed away Harry was 15 years old, but in his short life he did so much and affected so many people who he had met on his life’s journey.
Harry was loving and caring, a wonderful friend and a fiercely loyal Brother to Leo.
Harry was an A* Student in the making and he was a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo which he joined at the age of 5.
Harry was a Sports Fighter in Olympic Style Taekwondo, competing at National level.
Harry loved to swim and he played Rugby for his School.
Harry was also known as Cadet Sergeant Harry Peace when he became an Air Cadet at 1053 (Armthorpe) Squadron Doncaster, he simply loved the Corp!
Harry was a trained shot on the Squadron shooting team and he achieved many badges and accolades.
Harry was a lover of history, he respected the service of our armed forces and that of all veterans. He knew of the 3 Commonwealth Graves in his local church and after he had paraded on Remembrance Sunday he would go and place a cross of remembrance on the graves of these brave men.
On 1st February 2021 Harry was diagnosed with a brain tumor followed by a 13hr operation on the 4th February.
Harry left hospital 4 months later but unfortunately by this time he had been misdiagnosed and was on palliative care.
As Harry’s dad and mum we decided we would not tell anyone including our beautiful boy Harry.
We did what we could to make memories and so started Harry's amazing adventures almost daily.
Harry had 461 days from leaving hospital in Manchester to Passing away on his brothers 12th birthday on the 3rd September 2022.
During these 461 days Harry did so much! 176 days of amazing adventures. His DofE Bronze practice and final .... the same with his Silver. Harry walked 21 miles over 3 days with, by now 3 brain tumors and two in his spine.
He had become a glider pilot at Bronze level, he flew a Cessna 172 and even flew in formation with mum and dad in the Blades Aerobatic Display Team.
Harry's ultimate flight was from Duxford Airfield were he flew the same Spitfire that Guy Martin had flown in his TV documentary.
Even after Harry's Cancer had spread to his spine, this didn't stop Harry from being the extraordinary young man he was.
Harry's treatment was now to hold off for as long as possible, the spread of his tumors.
Our darling H continued to attend Air Cadet events, he was still achieving badges in various fields.
Whilst on this treatment Harry had his 15th Birthday.
5 days later H was in early at 07:30 for treatment at Leeds St James's hospital before driving upto RAF Leeming where as soon as the Aeroplane left the ground H was given control flying up to 6000 feet. A mere 3 days later Harry was a passenger in as many cars as he could, driving fast around Blyton Race Track.
Harry wanted to drive so he and his brother Leo were bought a Mazda MX5 and Harry achieved this wish also driving his own car at the former RAF Blyton.
Harry's love of Military History was big, his ability to identify planes and vehicles, battles and dates was amazing, he was a sponge for knowledge.
It was Harry's love of this subject, that took us as a family to many 1940's events and living history shows.
Harry's favourite one was The Victory Show in Cosby.
We attended in 2021, I called in advance to ask if we might get assistance as Harry had a wheelchair and whilst he was not always in it, it helped him. Natali Pepper was so helpful with everything we needed.
The show also coincided with Leo's Birthday, hearing this and having had the year we had had, living with H's Cancer diagnosis and the following treatment, The Victory Show staff made it an absolutely amazing, wonderful experience for all of us.
To show the level of Harry’s strength and determination, only 3 weeks before Harry left us he was on his Duke of Edinburgh Silver Final Assessment in the Yorkshire Wolds. It was the hottest 3 days of the year 2022 and whilst Harry didn't walk alot of it, he sat in his wheelchair to be pushed by his fellow cadets. Harry did pitch his own tent and cook his own meals with his mates though, a testament to his determination and the loyalty of his friends.
At this time Harry was on alot of medication so I was also out in the Wolds watching from a distance in case I was needed and to ensure his meds were all good.
On hearing the news of Harry's passing in the early hours of Saturday morning The Victory Show owners Steve and Natali Pepper decided to name the Battle at the Show after our Harry.
So from 2022 The Victory Show Battle will always be
“Harry's Battle”.
So here we are.
Why is there a 1940's event for the villages of Barnby Dun, Kirksandall and Edenthorpe.
Simply put, Leo said "Dad will Harry ever be forgotten?.... No was the answer.
So in response to Leo's question we are holding this "1940's Day" in memory of our darling boy and Leo’s big brother.
We have never had one locally, so why not and let's do it in Harry's name. That was the decision made.
We will incorporate the 3 men of St Oswalds Church with Harry's Air Cadet Squadron and make it an event that H would be rightly proud of.…
Per Ardua Ad Astra
