Harbourne Stephen

Harbourne Mackay Stephen (18 April 1916 – 20 August 2001) was a British flying ace of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) during the Second World War. He was credited with the sole destruction of at least nine aircraft of the Axis powers.

Born in Elgin, Scotland, Stephen joined the RAFVR in 1937. Called up for service in the Royal Air Force (RAF) on the outbreak of the Second World War, he was posted first to No. 605 Squadron and then, following being commissioned a pilot officer, No. 74 Squadron. He flew extensively during the evacuation from Dunkirk and then the Battle of Britain, during which he destroyed at least four German aircraft. He was twice awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Battle of Britain and at the end of 1940 was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

From early- to mid-1941 he performed instructing duties and was then posted to No. 234 Squadron and participated in several offensive operations, attacking radar sites in France. He achieved his last aerial victory in October. Following the entry of the Empire of Japan into the war, he was sent to the Far East where he commanded No. 166 Wing and later served in a series of staff postings. After the war he chose to not pursue a career in the RAF and instead returned to his pre-war occupation as a newspaperman. Managing a number of newspaper titles for the next several years, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1985 for his services to the profession.