Sweetheart brooch : Flying Officer J A Harris RAAF, 43 Squadron, RAF

Hand made brass brooch with enamel and silver wash finish. The badge has been fashioned from other military insignia to form an Air Force sweetheart brooch. The badge takes the form of a major's crown surmounting a RAAF eagle. There is a broken attachment clasp soldered to the back.

Worn by 407618 Flying Officer James Arthur Harris of 43 Squadron, RAF. Harris was born in 1920 in Gawler, South Australia. He worked as a clerk until his enlistment in the RAAF on 7 December 1940. He trained in Australia and Southern Rhodesia, qualifying as a sergeant pilot. After obtaining their wings Harris and fellow trainees were on their way to England when torpedos struck their ship. The Australians stuck together and managed to board a small life boat with one South African, some RAF officers and one WAAF. They were rescued by a Polish Cargo ship five hours after the ship sunk. He flew briefly in Egypt and North Africa before moving to England where he was posted to 43 Squadron, RAF, mainly flying Spitfires over France, North Africa, Italy and Malta. He was later commissioned. Harris was discharged on 1 October 1945.