Permalink Gespeichert von moderation am So., 08/12/2013 - 23:59
Sgt. William Francis Collister "Francie" Clague 460 Sq (RAAF) (d.30th May 1943)
My Dad William Clague was Killed in action on the 30th May 1943 (over Wuppatal) For the first time I have been able to visit his grave in Rheinberg Cemetry, Germany. Grave no. 9 C 18. I notice he is stated as Air Gunner which was his description before Flight Engineer. There is no age on His grave. He was 33 years old. He flew with 460Sq(RAAF) from RAF Binbrook I have been trying to find out more about the crew he flew with. I met Margaret Russell, widow of the Pilot. T. P Russell and also met the two crew members (who were taken PoW) when they returned to U.K prior to demob. As I was only 8 years old then I have vague memories. I would like to make contact with anyone knowing of any crew members or descendants. The PoW's names are George Andrew Kirk, 409057, born 1/2/1921 in Malvern, Victoria discharged 13/5/1946. Rank Warrant Officer.(460 Sq.) Ron D Dunn (Navigator) I have not found anything for him except to know that he is Australian. The other crew members who died were: Tom Taylor 413803, Bomb aimer he was Australian. Peter W. Findlay 1342595. Wireless Op. from Dundee. Douglas B Gordon. 1349618 Air Gunner from Fochabers Morayshire and Thomas P. Russell. 1347861 Pilot. from Ardrossan, Ayreshire.
Permalink Gespeichert von moderation am Mo., 09/12/2013 - 14:41
Date of Death : 30 May 1943
Source:
AWM 64 (1/293) AWM 64 (1/294) AWM 237 (63)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: W 4985
Radio call sign: AR – O
Unit: 460 Sqn RAAF
Summary:
Lancaster W 4985 took off from RAF Binbrook on 29 May 1943 to attack Wuppertal,
Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000 lb bomb, 548 x 30lb and 600 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing
was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twelve aircraft
from the squadron took part in the raid.
Crew:
RAF Sgt Russell, T P Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 414917 Sgt Dun, R W (Navigator)
RAAF 413803 Flt Sgt Taylor, T (Bomb Aimer)
RAF Sgt Findlay, P W (Wireless Operator)
RAF Sgt Clague, W F C (Flight Engineer)
RAF Sgt Gordon, D G (Air Gunner)
RAAF 409057 Sgt Kirk, G A (Air Gunner)
Both Sgt Dun and Sgt Kirk (RAAF) became POW’s. The remainder of the crew were
killed. Flt Sgt Taylor is interred in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
In a later statement Sgt Kirk said “The aircraft was badly damaged by flak. The outer port
and starboard engines, tail plane, wing and fuselage were damaged. I abandoned the
aircraft and landed on the east bank of the Rhine. Captured after two hours. Taylor and
Gordon were wounded. The aircraft crashed into the Rhine near Koblenz.”
Kommentare
Sgt. William Francis
Sgt. William Francis Collister "Francie" Clague 460 Sq (RAAF) (d.30th May 1943)
My Dad William Clague was Killed in action on the 30th May 1943 (over Wuppatal) For the first time I have been able to visit his grave in Rheinberg Cemetry, Germany. Grave no. 9 C 18. I notice he is stated as Air Gunner which was his description before Flight Engineer. There is no age on His grave. He was 33 years old. He flew with 460Sq(RAAF) from RAF Binbrook I have been trying to find out more about the crew he flew with. I met Margaret Russell, widow of the Pilot. T. P Russell and also met the two crew members (who were taken PoW) when they returned to U.K prior to demob. As I was only 8 years old then I have vague memories. I would like to make contact with anyone knowing of any crew members or descendants. The PoW's names are George Andrew Kirk, 409057, born 1/2/1921 in Malvern, Victoria discharged 13/5/1946. Rank Warrant Officer.(460 Sq.) Ron D Dunn (Navigator) I have not found anything for him except to know that he is Australian. The other crew members who died were: Tom Taylor 413803, Bomb aimer he was Australian. Peter W. Findlay 1342595. Wireless Op. from Dundee. Douglas B Gordon. 1349618 Air Gunner from Fochabers Morayshire and Thomas P. Russell. 1347861 Pilot. from Ardrossan, Ayreshire.
Daphne Towler
Date of Death : 30 May
Date of Death : 30 May 1943
Source:
AWM 64 (1/293) AWM 64 (1/294) AWM 237 (63)
Aircraft Type: Lancaster
Serial number: W 4985
Radio call sign: AR – O
Unit: 460 Sqn RAAF
Summary:
Lancaster W 4985 took off from RAF Binbrook on 29 May 1943 to attack Wuppertal,
Germany. Bomb load 1 x 4000 lb bomb, 548 x 30lb and 600 x 4lb incendiaries. Nothing
was heard from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base. Twelve aircraft
from the squadron took part in the raid.
Crew:
RAF Sgt Russell, T P Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 414917 Sgt Dun, R W (Navigator)
RAAF 413803 Flt Sgt Taylor, T (Bomb Aimer)
RAF Sgt Findlay, P W (Wireless Operator)
RAF Sgt Clague, W F C (Flight Engineer)
RAF Sgt Gordon, D G (Air Gunner)
RAAF 409057 Sgt Kirk, G A (Air Gunner)
Both Sgt Dun and Sgt Kirk (RAAF) became POW’s. The remainder of the crew were
killed. Flt Sgt Taylor is interred in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
In a later statement Sgt Kirk said “The aircraft was badly damaged by flak. The outer port
and starboard engines, tail plane, wing and fuselage were damaged. I abandoned the
aircraft and landed on the east bank of the Rhine. Captured after two hours. Taylor and
Gordon were wounded. The aircraft crashed into the Rhine near Koblenz.”
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