Leading Aircraftman Henry "Harry" Marcus Bolt from Ballyreagh, Co. Antrim trained with R.A.F. No. 66 Air School in South Africa during the Second World War.
Leading Aircraftman
553553
Leading Aircraftman Henry Marcus Bolt (553553) served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Known as Harry, he was the only son of the late J.W. Bolt and Sarah Bolt of Ballyreagh, Co. Antrim.
In civilian life, Harry attended Limavady Central School and Limavady Technical School in Limavady, Co. Londonderry. He left school at 16 years old and enlisted in the Royal Air Force. In 1941, he departed for South Africa for training aged 18 years old. By 1942, Harry was a Wireless Operator with R.A.F. No. 66 Air School at Youngsfield, Cape Town, South Africa. His untimely death that year came only two months after that of his father.
Bolt died on 1st September 1942 aged 19 years old. He was on board Avro Anson #3266 when it came down at Athlone near Youngsfield. The crew was flying low in poor weather when the plane hit high tension lines and trees shortly after take-off. Bolt’s grave is in the Military Allotment, Grave 95996B of Maitland Cemetery, Cape Town, South Africa. His headstone bears the inscription:
Harry. Beloved only son of Sarah and the late J.W. Bolt. Peace, perfect peace.