Harold Francis Beamish, DSC (7 July 1896 – 16 October 1986) was a New Zealand flying ace of the First World War.
However, a bad heart meant that he failed the medical examination required to enter the New Zealand Flying School.
On arriving in London in July 1916, no issues were found with his heart so he promptly joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).
[1] The following month he was nearly shot down while on a bomber escort mission; three German aircraft attacked his Sopwith Pup, damaging it and slightly wounding Beamish.
[1] Having flown nearly every day since his return to duty, on 21 July 1918, Beamish's aircraft was badly damaged by ground fire during a mission.
Arriving safely in New Zealand despite U-boats sinking other ships in the convoy in which he was travelling, the war ended while he was still on leave.
[5] Post-war, Beamish resumed farming at Whanawhana, which remains in family hands to this day.
A panel, decorated with a green fernleaf, that he had removed from the fuselage of his Sopwith Camel before his departure to New Zealand, was mounted on the wall of his home.
[1] In June 1920, Beamish married Marjorie née Gregory at St Matthew's Church in Hastings.