Advertiser snapper receives CBE

Jan 8 2009 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

FORMER Advertiser photographer Harry Benson has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours List.

Harry received the accolade for a stellar career in which he has photographed some of the world’s most famous people, among them the Beatles and every United States president since the 1950s.

The 79-year-old, who now lives in New York with his wife, Gigi, was 23 when he worked at the Advertiser during the early 50s.

Among his first assignments were a woman’s guild meeting and the appointment of a new minister in Newarthill.

He travelled around the county taking photographs for the paper, often using the bus to get to Biggar and Shotts for night jobs.

Clarkston-born Harry left the paper to work with the Daily Sketch and Daily Express and is now contracted to Vanity Fair and Life magazines.

In 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters by Glasgow School of Art.

Some of Harry’s iconic works, including the famous Beatles ‘pillow fight scene’ have been included in books and exhibitions.

Former Advertiser chief photographer Charlie McBain worked alongside Harry at the paper and has been a friend for more than 50 years.

He said it was clear from Harry’s earliest days at the Advertiser that he was destined for greatness.

“One of the first pictures he took was that of a message boy,” added Charlie.

“He had a bike with a container on the front and he was handing in groceries in Quarry Place, Hamilton.

“There was rain on the walls and I just remember that it was a different kind of picture.”

Charlie admitted that his pal was a “fiery sort who didn’t suffer fools” and added: “He was ferocious in his determination to succeed.

“He has always been his own man and has never towed the party line.

“The ‘Pillow Fight’ was taken at a time when the Beatles were just about to break through and it’s an example of how Harry always tried to get a different picture.

“He took risks and often took the chance of missing out on an important picture if he thought there was another, better image coming up. Very often he got the image that was definitive.”