First Lieutenant Harry Lee Ayres was born on 19 January 1920 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, the son of Henry Lee Ayres (1892-1985) and Jennie C. Ayres née Mills (1893-1985).
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1940 in Canada and served as a Pilot Officer in No.133 Squadron, initially based at Biggin Hill Airfield, before transferring to RAF Debden on 9 October 1942. On 22 August 1942, the three Eagle Squadrons were officially transferred from the RAF to the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Force and became a First Lieutenant in No.336 Fighter Squadron.
On 28 July 1943 he was flying a Republic P47 Thunderbolt aeroplane, serial number 41-6238, when it was shot down near Gouda, Holland. He was made a prisoner of war and was held in Stalag Luft III in Zagen, Poland.
Married to Romona Beard (1910-1976) they had one daughter, Mona Lee Ayres (1949-2020). He died, aged 51 years, on 24 December 1971 in San Diego, California, USA.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
