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Jack Harrison, the last survivor of The Great Escape, dies at 97
Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 8th June 2010 | Jim McBeth

Posted on 06/07/2010 8:28:33 PM PDT by naturalman1975

In the end, it was only time from which he could not escape. Jack Harrison, the last of those involved in the 'Great Escape', has passed away, peacefully and quietly, at the age of 97.

It has been 66 years since the dark night when he waited with bated breath, preparing to crawl through ‘Harry’ and under the wire of Stalag Luft III.

Many years after the war the former RAF pilot, and his brave and resourceful comrades, would be immortalised by the iconic 1963 film - starring Richard Attenborough and Steve McQueen - which remains the staple fare of every Christmas Day celebration.

But, by then, the most audacious - and tragic - prisoner-of-war break out of the Second World War was only a memory to the Scots veteran, who had long since returned to his ‘real life’ as a husband, father and classics teacher.

Mr Harrison would go on to live a long and fruitful life, spending the last two-and-a-half years of it in the veterans' hospital at Erskine, in Bishopton, Renfrewshire.

Yesterday a spokesman for the charity that runs the hospital said: ‘It is with the greatest of sadness that we announce the passing of Great Escape veteran Jack Harrison.

‘Mr Harrison, thought to be the last survivor of the escape, passed away with his son, Chris, and daughter, Jane, by his side.’

The success of the film The Great Escape may have elevated the humble Latin teacher to the status of a war hero. But to his family, he will forever be ‘dad’. In a joint statement yesterday, his two children paid tribute to him.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: escape; greatescape; obituary; pow; secondworldwar; veteran; worldwar2; worldwarii
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1 posted on 06/07/2010 8:28:34 PM PDT by naturalman1975
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To: naturalman1975

It’s men like Mr. Harrison that fought for the freedom that my family and I enjoy. It’s a shame the current occupant in the WH does share the same appreciation.


2 posted on 06/07/2010 8:38:26 PM PDT by Son-Joshua (son-joshua)
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To: naturalman1975

I just watched this with my ten year old son and he really liked it.Then I gave him the history behind the movie.I’m setting the hook.I saw it at the Fox when it premiered in 64.Never gets old.


3 posted on 06/07/2010 8:38:39 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life is tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: naturalman1975

My ex-wife’s uncle, Micheal Ormond, was one of the three caught in the tunnel. He never got out, which basically saved his life.


4 posted on 06/07/2010 8:39:43 PM PDT by U S Army EOD
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To: naturalman1975

God bless this man!


5 posted on 06/07/2010 8:42:00 PM PDT by microgood
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To: imahawk

I watched it at the US embassy theater in Islamabad when I was 8. Stuck with me from then till now.

Colonel, USAFR


6 posted on 06/07/2010 8:42:36 PM PDT by jagusafr (Don't make deals with pirates)
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To: imahawk
I just watched this with my ten year old son and he really liked it.Then I gave him the history behind the movie.I’m setting the hook.I saw it at the Fox when it premiered in 64.Never gets old.

Besides Rob Roy, The Great Escape was my grandfather's favorite movie. It's definitely one of my top ten.

A timeless classic that all generations can appreciate.

RIP Jack Harrison

7 posted on 06/07/2010 8:46:42 PM PDT by Zeppelin (Keep on FReepin' on...)
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To: Son-Joshua

It’s a shame the current occupant in the WH does share the same appreciation.


The low life is totally clueless of such things. TOTALLY!


8 posted on 06/07/2010 8:49:36 PM PDT by unkus
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To: naturalman1975
One of my all-time favorite movies. I think I saw it about 30 times.

Great flick, plus I really dug Steve McQueen.

9 posted on 06/07/2010 9:01:17 PM PDT by truthkeeper ( Remember in November: VOTE THE BUMS OUT!)
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To: imahawk

It’s one of those movies that when I see it playing on TV, I stop what I’m doing and sit down and watch.


10 posted on 06/07/2010 9:02:52 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: jagusafr

It certainly had an affect on me and started my life long love affair with WW2 history.


11 posted on 06/07/2010 9:09:47 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life is tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: Zeppelin

The movie has certainly stood the test of time has it not?We will never forget those great men.


12 posted on 06/07/2010 9:11:25 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life is tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: dfwgator

YUP.


13 posted on 06/07/2010 9:12:46 PM PDT by HANG THE EXPENSE (Life is tough.It's tougher when you're stupid.)
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To: naturalman1975

RIP Jack Harrison. You’re finally going to be reunited with the rest of your hero colleagues, in a place with no wire and no guards.

I remember reading The Great Escape and being utterly fascinated by it. When I told my Dad about it, he said, “Oh, they made a movie of that - you’ll love it.” I have, all the many times that I’ve seen it. Thanks for all that you gentlemen did for us.


14 posted on 06/07/2010 9:25:26 PM PDT by Ancesthntr (Tyrant: "Spartans, lay down your weapons." Free man: "Persian, come and get them!")
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Rest In Peace


15 posted on 06/07/2010 9:35:07 PM PDT by NonValueAdded ("The real death threat is their legislation" Rush Limbaugh, 3/25/10)
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To: Son-Joshua

...current occupant...

Our White House has been soiled and is disgraced.


16 posted on 06/07/2010 9:41:22 PM PDT by ExTexasRedhead (Clean the RAT/RINO Sewer in 2010 and 2012)
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To: naturalman1975

My dad was a POW in Stalag Luft III, arriving in July, 1944, after the Great Escape try in the early spring that year. My dad was a B-24 pilot who was shot down over Romania. He said when he arrived, there was a memorial that just said ‘to the 50’. My husband was in Germany on business a few years ago and toured the grounds of the former Prisoner of War Camp. The memorial is still there. RIP all those who lost their lives in their try for freedom. You won the respect of countless people and the admiration of generations.


17 posted on 06/07/2010 9:52:39 PM PDT by originalbuckeye
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To: imahawk

In Chicago media Ray Raynor had a kid’s show and played on Bozo’s circus on WGN during the 1960’s and 70’s.
He was self effacing, humble and funny.
But it was little known that he was a POW in that camp!
He never spoke of his war history. That was very common among those heroic men not to brag or boast of their war times adventures.
But with friends and a few brews...


18 posted on 06/07/2010 10:37:19 PM PDT by ChiMark
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To: originalbuckeye

The camp commandant allowed the memorial to be built - he, as a professional officer of the Luftwaffe serving his country who understand the laws and conventions of war, as opposed to the Nazi thugs - was appalled at the fact that prisoners had been executed.

The bravery of the POWs was astonishing enough, but his own courage in allowing the memorial in spite of the fact that the murders were at the direct order of Hitler, has always inspired me as well.

19 posted on 06/07/2010 10:43:25 PM PDT by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
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To: ChiMark
I lived north of Chicago in the early 70s. I used to watch Ray Raynor. I remember he wore orange coveralls. I had to google him and see him again.
20 posted on 06/07/2010 11:21:23 PM PDT by Daaave ( "Where it all ends I can't fathom my friends")
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