Originally published in 2012, this article reflects on the wartime journey of late Zimbali resident Ken Harris, who served in World War II with the South African forces. As one of the last surviving North Coast members of the Memorable Order of the Tin Hats (MOTHs), Ken shared his memories of hardship and camaraderie. Now, on Remembrance Day, we honour his memory and the many others who served with him. 

When World War II was declared on September 3, 1939 South Africa was divided into those for and those against the war.

Now 88-years-old, Zimbali resident Ken Harris was but a boy of 19 when he cast his vote by joining South Africa’s voluntary army in 1943.

“I was too young to enlist without my father’s permission and he was not eager to allow me to go,” said Ken.

Forced to grow up very quickly he returned a man, and is now one of only two surviving members of the North Coast’s Moths (Memorable Order of the Tin Hats)  who actively played a role in ending the deadliest conflict in human history.

“I vividly remember my mum and dad standing on a bench at the Pietermaritzburg station crying and waving white handkerchiefs, waving goodbye,” he said.

Already skilled in surveying, Ken was chosen to join the 45 Survey Company, based in Ladysmith.

There he was trained to map out enemy territory, through direct observation and aerial photography.

“Our responsibility would be to load the planes with cameras and record and analyse the results.”

He was deployed to Cairo and from there he was sent alone to 19 Squadron, attached to the Balkan Air Force in Italy.

“It was quite daunting to suddenly realise that you are alone in a strange country and only a number in a Royal Air Force Squadron where nobody cares a damn who you are.

“On my first day in Italy eight American pilots were killed… this shook me.”

To his relief and by great coincidence one of his old school friends, Roley Shorten (whose son would later lend their surname to the Shorten’s Country House outside Ballito) was later to join him.

Campo Marino
Ken was in Italy for a year, mainly based at Campo Marino.

Facilities were minimal and the winters severe, sometimes leaving them snowbound for long periods.

“To keep warm we would make a fire using aviation fuel, which was very dangerous and quite a few chaps were very badly burned.”

“But the rations were good and the wine was plentiful so we made the best of the situation,” he said with a laugh.

Still the gritty reality of war was never far away and painful reminders of their own mortality were always close at hand.

“Our squadron flew Beaufighters, a twin engine plane known to the Japs as the ‘whispering death’ because they flew low and silent.”

“Campo was the nearest aerodrome to Italy and Yugoslavia and it was therefore the first landing strip for the Liberators of 31 and 34 South African Air Force Squadrons after the famous Warsaw supply raids which cost many lives.

“On many occasions the shot-up bombers force landed on our aerodrome and we pulled many dead and wounded from the wreckages.”

When the war officially ended on May 8, 1945 it did not mean the end for Ken.

“We had all volunteered to go East to join the war against Japan when we heard that the American’s had dropped the atomic bomb on Japan.”

“So we were flown back to Egypt in the bombbays of a liberator – a rather terrible experience.”

“In Egypt the only duty we had was to stand guard.

“On one occasion we reported for duty only to find that the chaps we were relieving had been killed by bandits from across the Suez.”

In January 1946 Ken returned home and he said the Moths played a big role in his reintegration into society.

“As Moths we stood together to help each man provide for his family”

“I often think of those times, of the dangers, good times, hardships and the many friends who were killed and I realise how lucky we were.”

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