201 entries.
wrote on November 20, 2015
The Alberta Aviation Museum is raising funds to refurbish Avro Lancaster KB882 which saw service with 408 Squadron from 1952-1964.
In honour of my father, George McKillop, who is a frequent contributor to this website, I have made a donation to the project of refurbishing KB882. Dad served as an Airframe Mechanic with 408 Squadron during WWII. He has done amazing work researching and maintaining a database of 408 Squadron casualties from 1940-1945.
Thanks for serving, Dad; thanks for everything.
Carolyn McKillop Oliver
wrote on November 13, 2015
Mr. McKillop,
Received the following email and will contact Liam,
My name is Liam Dinning and I came across your name and email in some helpful posts you made on the 408 \"Goose\" Squadron Association website assisting people who were looking to learn more about their parents\'/grandparents\' service histories.
First off, I would like to thank you on this Remembrance Day, and all days really, for your service to our country in World War 2. I understand from your posts that you served as ground crew with the 408 squadron in the UK. I hope this message finds you well.
I am reaching out to you to see if you might be able to assist me in my research about my Grandad, Flight Lieutenant John Bentley Dinning. I would like to put something together for my Dad for Christmas. Of particular interest would of course be photographs of him, but any information, leads or stories would mean a lot.
My Grandad\'s service number was J/3713. He was shot down over Magdeburg while aboard Lancaster DS790 EQ-B on the night of January 21, 1944. He was lucky to be one of the few who made it out of the plane alive, but after some time on the ground was eventually captured and sent to Stalag Luft 3 until the end of the war.
Again, I hope this finds you well and I hope that I am not troubling you by reaching out. I look forward to hopefully hearing back from you. Thank you so much.
Regards,
Liam Dinning
wrote on October 20, 2015
Further to Lloyd Truscott\'s post of August 22,2015, this indeed would be the best place to save the \"davidscottdiary\". so far 3 of the 8 crew member\'s families have connected and Lloyd had been relentless in trying to locate the other families.
Finally last month with the help of the Bremervorde Newspaper in Germany,a local lady who witnessed the events following the crash (she was 11 at the time), identified the field where LL687 crashed. The Bremervorde Zeitung published the story in their Sept.2015 issue in the hope of finding other eyewitnesses.
JCC
GUFhZ
wrote on September 27, 2015
W R Chorley Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War Volume 5. February 20th 1944, 408 RCAF Squadron, Lancaster Mark II, LL719 EQ-V. Operation Leipzig.
Richter G W M, Flying Officer Pilot, J/21670, Age 30, RCAF, KIA,
Given Names: Gordon William McKay
Cemetery: Berlin 1939- 45 War Cemetery, Joint Grave 5. J. 7.
Additional Information (Family Relationship):
Son of Oscar and Leone Richter, of Brantford, Ontario, Canada; husband of Margaret Ellen Richter, of Brantford.
Bowden D I, Flight Sergeant, Navigator, R/159925, Age 20, RCAF, KIA,
Given Names: Donald Ivan
Cemetery: Choloy War Cemetery France, Joint Grave 2. F. 4-5
Additional Information (Family Relationship):
Son of Ivan Heyer Bowden, M.M., and Rhoda Geraldine Bowden, of Sutton, Province of Quebec, Canada.
Bennett G N, Pilot Officer, Bomb Aimer, J/91044, Age 20, RCAF, KIA,
Given Names: Gordon Neil
Cemetery: Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Grave 5. J. 8.
Additional Information (Family Relationship):
Son of Gordon Hugh and May Eliza Bennett, Nephew of Mrs. M Osborne, of Montreal Quebec.
Roach S L, Pilot Officer Wireless Operator Air Gunner, J/86596, Age ?, RCAF, KIA,
Given Names: Sherman Lewis,
Cemetery: Berlin 1939-45 War Cemetery. Joint Grave 5. J. 7.
Additional Information (Family Relationship):
Son of Clinton James Roach and Bessie Josephine Roach, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada; husband of Doris Roach.
Kelly R G Pilot Officer Air Gunner, J/88769, Age 21, RCAF, KIA,
Given Names: Ralph Gordon
Cemetery: France, Choloy War Cemetery, Grave 2. F. 3.
Additional Information (Family Relationship):
Son of George H. Kelly and Matilda E. Kelly, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Skeet F G, Sergeant Air Gunner, 618386, Age 24, RAF, KIA,
Given Names: Frederick George,
Cemetery: France, Choloy War Cemetery, Joint Grave 2. F. 4-5
Additional Information (Family Relationship): RAF files are not archived, access restricted to family.
Roberts C W G Sergeant Flight Engineer, 179401, Age ?, RAF, KIA,
Given Names: Charles William George,
Cemetery: France, Choloy War Cemetery, Grave 2. F. 6.
Additional Information (Family Relationship): RAF files are not archived, access restricted to family.
Picture(s)
Unfortunately no photos of the crew or the aircraft. However I found a picture of the Richter by searching the Virtual Canadian War Memorial Site:
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial
September 27, 2015
wrote on September 8, 2015
My father was RITCHIE, LAC Francis Bruce (R123063) as listed in the personnel honours and awards. Amongst other photos, I have a very sharp, restored group photo labelled June 14, 1944. I would like to submit it to this site, however the \'contact us\' on the menu does not work. I would be glad to send a digital file to any who request one.
wrote on August 22, 2015
408sqn Lancaster LL687 EQ*M was lost at Spreckens Germany on July 29, 1944. All crew were killed except Flt Eng David Scott who was taken PoW. After years of searching, I came across Craig Scott\'s website about his Dad and his story of his time as PoW and photos of his crewmates including my Uncle P/O Harold Edmund Truscott. I have been in contact with Craig and JC Charlebois, who\'s wife is the niece of the Lancaster\'s Wireless Op Gordon Croucher. As we continue to search for other families we realize that we need a permanent host for Craig Scott\'s website. We hope the 408 Squadron site could/shoul be that place. Please let me know if you could host this important information so it\'s not lost forever.
Lloyd
**please visit www.davidscottdiary.com to read David\'s story and view the crew photos.
wrote on August 13, 2015
I am in the process of researching the history of RAF Balderton. Would there be any former Squadron members prepared to relate their stories/memories of their time stationed there. Additionally if there is any relevant Squadron history that I could possibly make use of.
Regards
Colin Savill
Newark Air Museum
wrote on May 18, 2015
Mcpl Berent Vledder
I served in 408 from 1979 to 1984 as a flight engineer in Huey flight. These few years were the most enjoyable years in my military career.
wrote on March 30, 2015
Steve Hurrell
Served as ground crew with 408 Squadron in the UK, late November 1941, early December 1944 and have updated the 408 Squadron
Wartime Casualty List from the Squadron History Book.
May 22nd/23rd was a bad night for the Squadron. Two of the three Six Group aircraft lost during
the raid on Dortmund were from 408 Squadron. Squadron Commander, W/C D S Jacobs and crew and Flying Officer T R Sherrill and crew.
W. R Chorley Bomber Command Losses of WWII Volume 5, Lancaster Mark II, DS759 EQ-A
Operation Dortmund crashed at Hartefield.
Flying Officer Pilot, Sherrill T R, J26744, KIA 23/05/1944, Age ?, RCAF, Canadian
Richswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 4. G. 7.
Additional Information (Family Relationship)
Thomas Russell Sherrill of Columbus South Carolina, husband of Edythe Russell, nee Warner, of Burtch (Brantford) Ontario Canada.
Flying Officer Navigator, Rehkopf WW, J21821, KIA 23/05/1944, Age?, RCAF, Canadian
Richswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 4. G. 10.
Additional Information (Family Relationship)
Walter William Rehkopf no additional information.
Flying Officer Air Bomber, Brown C D, J28198, KIA 23/05/1944, Age 25, RCAF, Canadian,
Richswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 4. G. 11.
Additional Information (Family Relationship)
Charles Davis Brown, son of Harry Raymond Brown and Madge Libbey Brown; husband of Natalie Patelkan Brown of Hartford Connecticut, USA.
Sergeant Wireless Operator Air Gunner, Campbell A S, 1346811, KIA 23/05/1944, Age 23, RAF, UK
Richswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 4. G. 6.
Additional Information (Family Relationship) RAF Records
Pilot Officer Air Gunner, Kalyta P, J90760, KIA 23/05/1944, Age ?, RCAF, Canadian,
Richswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 4. G. 5.
Additional Information (Family Relationship)
Peter Kalyta, husband of Ailleen Kalyta. of Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Pilot Officer Air Gunner, Cunningham H J, J88415, KIA 23/05/1944, Age ?, RCAF, Canadian,
Richswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 4. G. 8.
Additional Information (Family Relationship)
Harry Joseph Cunningham, no additional information.
Sergeant Flight Engineer, Nightingale H A, 1714926, KIA 23/05/1944, Age ?,
RAF, UK,
Richswald Forest War Cemetery Grave 4. G. 9.
Additional Information (Family Relationship) RAF Records
Found some limited Additional Information and family relationships of the RCAF members of the aircrew on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Virtual Canadian War Memorial sites.
http://www.cwgc.org/
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/
Personal files of RCAF aircrew Killed In Action are archived and available for research in the Canadian Library and Archives, Ottawa. However it’s difficult to find information on RAF aircrew since the Royal Air Force is more restrictive.
Unfortunately Steve no photos of the aircrew or Lancaster DS759 EQ-A.
George R McKillop
New Westminster, BC
March 29, 2015
wrote on March 12, 2015
I have been doing some research about my uncle Sgt Nightingale H.A. Service Number 171926. I understand that he was part of the crew on Lancaster II EQ-A (DS759) that was shot down on May 22-23 whilst on a mission to Dortmund with the loss of all crew. I was wondering if there anyone would have any photographs of my uncle, the crew, Lancaster EQ-A or a squadron photo that they are in? r any further information about the activities of the crew.
Many thanks
Steve
wrote on March 9, 2015
Guest Book Posting Sun, 1 February 2015
Email,
Phyllis Hope Lafler
Served as ground crew with 408 Squadron in the UK, late November 1941, early December 1944. Member of the 408 Goose Squadron association and have researched and updated the 408 Squadron “Wartime Casualty List” ublished in the Squadron History Book.
W. R Chorley Bomber Command Losses of WWII Volume 5, Lancaster Mark II, LL717 EQ-W Operation Frankfurt, Crashed near Hausen.
Pilot Officer Pilot, Pare J A N, J/86322, KIA 22/03/1944, Age 24, RCAF, Canadian,
Runnymede Memorial Panel 252.
Pilot Officer Navigator, Clough G F, J/86891, KIA 22/03/1944, Age 20, RCAF, Canadian,
Runnymede Memorial Panel 249.
Flying Officer Air Bomber, Proctor L D, J/27269, KIA 22/03/1944, Age 22, RCAF, Canadian,
Durnbach War Cemetery Grave 8. E. 24.
Flying Officer Wireless Operator Air Gunner, Moroz H, J/12682, KIA 22/03/1944, Age ?, RCAF, Canadian,
Runnymede Memorial Panel 247.
Pilot Officer Air Gunner, Rickert A E, J/90755, KIA 22/03/1944, Age 20, RCAF, Canadian,
Runnymede Memorial Panel 252.
Pilot Officer Air Gunner, Woolheather S E, J/90754, KIA 22/03/1944, Age ?, RCAF, Canadian,
Durnbach War Cemetery Grave 8. E. 25.
Sergeant Flight Engineer, Curtis K L, 55805, KIA 22/03/1944, Age 20, RAF, United Kingdom,
Runnymede Memorial Panel 210.
Virtual Canadian War Memorial.
You should be able to find Additional Information and Family Relationships on all of the Canadian RCAF members of the aircrew on the Virtual Canadian Memorial.
http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial
The personal files of RCAF aircrew Killed In Action are archived and available for research in the Canadian Library and Archives, Ottawa.
Service Files of the Second World War.
War Dead 1939 - 1947. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/second-world-war/second-world-war-dead-1939-1947/
It’s more difficult to find information on Royal Air Force aircrew and Sergeant Flight Engineer K L Curtis was RAF
Hope this is helpful.
George R McKillop
New Westminster, BC
wrote on March 9, 2015
Howdy! I am trying to acquire a vector logo of the 408 squadron to replicate a service emblem/print for a WW2 veteran of the 408th squadron. Ideally I\'d like to have it reissued with gold foil but I\'m not sure who to contact and veterans affairs and the airforce have been no such luck. If I had the logo in vector format, I could do it myself - would you be able to help, or direct me to someone who could? Thanks very much! I can be reached at 250-751-2994 or via email.
- Courtney
wrote on February 12, 2015
Wilma Kuysten
Your 408 Goose Squadron Posting of January 5th 2015.
Surname of Individual Eli /Ely or Baker ?
You seem to be sure that he returned to Canada but not so sure he went to California.
408 Squadron Wartime Casualty List and related sources of information is as follows:
Ely A B
Flight Lieutenant Pilot
Service Number J/22783
RCAF
Canadian
April 25th 1945, Halifax VII NP796, EQ-M, Operation Wangerooge
Killed In Action, Date of Death April 25, 1945
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery or Memorial Name: Runnymede Memorial Panel 278.
Would appreciate your comments and/or any additional information.
George R McKillop
New Westminster BC
wrote on February 2, 2015
I am trying to get some information about my uncle who went missing in action on May 24, 1943. He is listed as URETZKY, Harry Flying Offr J/14818 RCAF Runnymede Memorial
I believe he was the first bombadier to train in Edmonton and the target for his last mission was Dortmund. An uncle has said his plane went down over a place in Germany called Ompsoomhoven or something like that. I have never heard this before. Would you have any further information about his time overseas and where his plane was shot down and if anyone from his plane survived? Thank you kindly,
Karen
wrote on February 1, 2015
Thank you for commemorating the sacrifice of my cousin George Frederick Clough, pilot officer killed on 22 March 1944 and the many other brave men of the RCAF. I remember his visits on leave during the War while I was growing up in Cheshire. He was a lovely young man and a credit to the service. He was the only child of Joe and Julia Clough of Guelph, Ontario.