Harry's friendship with Charles endured throughout their lives from their late teen days in 1948 up to the end. As young men, they devised many devious effects as well as performed them. Latterly, Harry and Charles shared many memories and were in touch by telephone nearly every day, swapping stories and news as well as discussing effects. Indeed, they also exchanged letters and effects through the mail, as Harry was too ill to leave his home in the Firrhill area of Edinburgh which he shared with his wife Marion.

Harry was a very gentle, quiet, diffident and unassuming man which was rather contrary to the extrovert personality generally associated with performers. Quite an asset when devious deeds need to be done during a two person telepathy act.

He was an accountant by profession and was conventional in the fact that he had a church connection and the local minister was a frequent visitor to his home. He had a very quiet Church of Scotland funeral at Mortonhall Crematorium which was attended by his family and many of his close friends from the magic world. The day had dawned cold, crisp and sunny with snow just melting away and, after the service, family and friends adjourned to a buffet served at a nearby watering hole.

While he was still well enough, Harry and Marion were invited up to Charles and Alex' flat in Edinburgh's Royal Mile for drinks and dinner. They did not know it then, but that evening of Tuesday, 15th December 1998, was to be both memorable and very special. It was to be the last time Harry and Charles would see each other. The years just rolled away as they chatted, enjoyed themselves and demonstrated that close affinity which had stood them in such good stead when they used to do successful double acts of mentalism, mind reading and predictions on stage and over the airwaves. They talked a lot too about finally getting around to publishing a co work booklet written by them called "Double Deception" in a special edition of The Cauldron, the originals of which were published by Charles in the sixties. It is also interesting to note that where Charles' favourite tipple was Grouse whisky and lemonade - Harry was a teetotal and had been all his life!

Left click on the photos to see a larger version and description.

Indeed, Harry and Charles were not just longtime friends but brothers in the craft all their lives until death.  While Harry was ailing, Charles used to keep in regular contact to cheer him up.  Possibly, after Charles’ passing, Harry lost heart and interest and quickly declined, as he died a matter of weeks after Charles of prostate cancer, an illness he had bravely borne for many years.

Len Edwards, Treasurer of the Edinburgh Magic Circle, who knew Harry for 50 years remembers:

“I recall a meeting of the Edinburgh Magic Circle where Harry performed mental magic and used his birth certificate to confirm his prediction.  If my memory serves me right, the year of his birth was 1919.  There was something “special” about the digits in his date of birth but I do not recall what the significance was.

I was introduced to Harry by our mutual friend Charles W. Cameron.  At that time (the early 1950s) they performed a double act of mental magic, most of it was original material.  Their act was highly professional and they were in great demand.  I think they did at least one performance in a radio broadcast (Radio Forth).  Harry and Charles continued their double act well into the 1960s.

Harry was a member of the Edinburgh Magic Circle where, at different times, he held office as Treasurer and as President.  In addition to his mental magic he was an excellent performer of conventional magic.  He was a most convincing and professional performer and, above all, he was a nice guy; someone I was proud to call my friend.”

Harry is survived by his wife Marion and family including grandchildren.