Bearers of a name that resonates throughout the pages of the colourful drama that is the historical record, the Harrises have gained fame and acclaim through a rich variety of endeavours and pursuits that include the stage, music, sport and the creative world of the written word. Others, however, have been particularly associated with murderous deeds and tragedy.
• During the dark days of the Second World War, Sir Arthur Harris, known as "Bomber" Harris and by some of his detractors as "Butcher" Harris, was the British Air Chief Marshall born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in 1892.
• It was as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of RAF Bomber Command during the war that, from early in 1943, he was in charge of the devastating and controversial "area", as opposed to ‘precision’ bombing of German cities such as Dresden – a policy with which he had been tasked by his political masters.
• Read here the tale of the Harrises, past and present.
