A lifetime of service for Centenarian Harry

Members of the SA Police joined the party at Charles Young aged care resident Harry’s 100^th birthday, honouring the newest Centenarian Club member’s more than 40 years on the force.

Harry – who joined the force at 16 - celebrated the milestone with family, friends, and current serving members. On reaching 100, he says he’s reached his goal!

“Turning 100 feels better than being 90,” he said.

“My aim was to reach 100 and I’m there!”

His enduring commitment to service began in his youth, thanks to his Father, and matured into a legacy imprinted in the accounts of law enforcement history.

Born in Angaston in 1924 and the youngest of nine siblings, Harry enjoyed life as a country boy.

Son Adrian says he was always doted on by his five older sisters and enjoyed a love of sport. Harry followed the South Adelaide Football Club and loved watching cricket, he also played Cricket for Adelaide and Glenelg – the same club Donald Bradman played for.

“Dad’s love of sport is something he has maintained to this day,” he said.

“When the family moved to Adelaide in 1936, Dad attended Unley High until he was 16 when his father thought he was better suited to joining the workforce.

“That’s when he joined the SA Police.”

Harry steadily rose through the ranks, becoming an Inspector in 1965. On his retirement in 1982 he was a Senior Chief Superintendent.

He says that his time in the service had its moments, some anxious, but that overall, it was a good job.

“I enjoyed my time in Kadina for two years as Secondary Class Inspector,” he recalled.

“It was a good country posting because I loved my footy and sport and they had a good sports club.”

Another highlight of his career was the awarding of the Queens Police Medal in 1971.

Alongside his career, Harry’s greatest joy is his family. He married his wife Myra in 1948 and lived in North Plympton for some 65 years, where they had three children Lynlee, Alison and Adrian.