Richard Thresher Giles “Dick” Harrap

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from John Hamblin, Researcher.

Richard Thresher Giles Harrap, Lieutenant Colonel 38712, Headquarters Squadron, 13th/18th Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own), Royal Armoured Corps. Killed in action on the 16th of June 1944, aged 37.

Richard Thresher Giles “Dick” Harrap was born at Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales in September 1906, the eldest son of Gilbert Ward Harrap, a farmer, and Maude Alice Harrap (née Webster) in Hampshire, later of Marsh House, Farnham in Surrey. He was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge where he achieved a BA.

He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant as a University Candidate on the General List on the 20th of July 1925. He was appointed for duty with the Cavalry Unit of the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps on the 21st of October 1926, then he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 13th/18th Hussars from the General List on the 8th of July 1927 and was promoted to Lieutenant on the 8 th of July 1930. He was promoted to Captain on the 1st of October 1935 and was appointed as Regimental Adjutant on the 8th of February 1938.

He was married at Westminster, London in 1937 to Sybil Elizabeth Pilkington (née Smyly later Barty-King) of “Romans”, Little Halligbury, Bishop Stortford in Hertfordshire.

Following the outbreak of war the Regiment was deployed to France and was later evacuated from Dunkirk. For his actions during the campaign Richard Harrap was recognised for “Distinguished services rendered in connection with operations in the field” which was announced by the War Office on the 26th of July 1940. He was also Mentioned in Despatches, which was announced by the War Office on the 20th of December 1940. The recommendation for his award, which was made by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel D.A. Stirling, reads as follows: - “From May 10th to May 30th he was my Adjutant. His work was beyond praise. He took responsibility much beyond his rank, making rest impossible for himself. His efficiency, quickness and disregard of danger was of inestimable value to the whole Regiment and on many occasions he was responsible for the success of an action.”

He was promoted to temporary Major on the 27th of August 1940. By June 1944 he had been promoted to Acting Lieutenant Colonel and was the commanding officer of the Regiment. He was promoted to Major after his death, effective from the 8th of July 1944.

At 6.16am on the morning of the 6th of June 1944, the 13th/18th Hussars launched their DD tanks when some 5,000 yards off Sword Beach. Sixteen of their tanks landed on the beach at 7.23am where they supported the 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment during their advance inland.

On the 16th of June 1944, the Regiment was at Ranville where it was in support of the 6th Airborne Division. Richard Harrap took part in a reconnaissance with the commanding officer of the 153rd Infantry Brigade after which he boarded his jeep to travel back from Escoville. At 2pm he ran into a Panzer Mk IV tank which opened fire on him with its machine guns and he was killed. Major the Earl of Feversham assumed command of the Regiment the following morning.

He was buried at the 3rd Infantry Brigade Cemetery at Coleville at 2.30pm on the 17th of June 1944 but his body was later  reinterred at La Delivrande War Cemetery, Plot III, Row F, Grave 6.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record his death as having taken place on the 15th of June 1944 but all other sources record it as having occurred on the 16th of June 1944. He is commemorated on the war memorial at Jesus College, Cambridge.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Richard Harrap. If you are aware of one or you are related to Richard we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.