Hi All, Just taken on researching a memorial in Ontario and i have a casualty who served with 357 Sqn RAF though he was a Canadian. He died 15/3/44 and is remembered on the Singapore Memorial. Does anyone have any information on this Sqn around this time? Would he of been a POW? All i can find is that they flew Liberators and were formed in 1944 in India. Ah that answers a question, he couldn't of been a POW. Any info on this Sqn would be useful. Thanks all Snipereep:
Hi Sniper what's the name of the casualty. I've just taken down the two volume Burma Liberators: RCAF in SEAC. Whilst I flick through and get some notes ready for you could you post his CWGC details. He may be listed as a casualty in the book. In the meantime: Sqn Histories 353-361_P
Hi Kyt, Thanks for doing this. The details are: Name: PALMER, RICHARD BLAKE Initials: R B Nationality: Canadian Rank: Flight Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force Unit Text: 357 (R.A.F.) Sqdn Date of Death: 15/03/1944 Service No: J/10015 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 441. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Sniper eep:
Hmmm, there is no specific loss listed in the book but it sounds like they were lost in a Hudson because the first Liberator missions did not occur until the 4th April 1944 (and no non-operational Liberator loss occurred on that date). Other men are listed on the CWGC for this date: Name: WILKINSON, JOSEPH Initials: J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Flight Sergeant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 357 Sqdn. Age: 25 Date of Death: 15/03/1944 Service No: 537086 Additional information: Son of John James Wilkinson and Mary Wilkinson; nephew of Mr. T. Wilkinson, of Egremont, Cumberland. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 435. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Name: PONSFORD, JAMES CECIL SPENCER Initials: J C S Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Flight Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 357 Sqdn. Age: 44 Date of Death: 15/03/1944 Service No: 80801 Additional information: Son of Spencer and Lilian Ponsford; husband of Helen Ponsford, of Comrie, Perthshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 431. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Name: PATTERSON, LORNE Initials: L Nationality: Canadian Rank: Flight Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force Unit Text: 357 (R.A.F.) Sqdn Age: 32 Date of Death: 15/03/1944 Service No: J/8624 Additional information: Son of David P. and Annie Patterson; husband of Dorothy L. Patterson. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 441. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Name: OGILVIE, BRUCE ADAM Initials: B A Nationality: Canadian Rank: Pilot Officer Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force Unit Text: 357 (R.A.F.) Sqdn Date of Death: 15/03/1944 Service No: J/89408 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 444. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
Hi Sniper. I can't tie a specific loss to these men from the books I have. I have asked rafcommands for information because I know someof the guys have specific books detailing RCAF losses. I'll post any replies I get.
Thanks for looking Kyt, really appreciated. Not sure if i said before but there was some other guy doing the Didcot War Memorial and he's a little further on than i am, he's about to go to press in another few months. I've given him a load of information, in fact everything i have on the Didcot casualties. I've now started to do my wife's home town and as her father who is 89 this year remembers all of the WW2 and some of the WW1 casualties i thought it maybe the last chance to get some info on them from him. I'll post a full list up in time, trouble is with some of them they don't seem to exist in the town. Anyway night mate and thanks again Sniper
No probs Sniper - sorry I couldn't have been of more help at this time. Will get back to you if I find more info. Night mate
This is why rafcommands is my favourite other forum - the guys on there are amazing. Sniper, you will find excellent details on the loss of the aircraft and the crew here: 357 Squadron loss - 15/03/1944 - RafCommands Forums
Wow, that's some truly amazing info and immediately got me thinking how those remains should be recovered. Stirring stuff re the month-long trek. An amazing story. Thanks Sniper and Kyt for bringing it to our attention.
More unbelievable deeds of heroism for a wounded brother. They were only doing their duty however it was much more than that. Don't you think?
Thanks for this Kyt, i have now joined RafCommands. Your right about the members being really knowledgable lot. Awesome. Thanks again Sniper eep:
I have an interesting little book if anyone is looking for WWI or WWII listed Canadians in the air force. They have to have been deemed a "true Canadian hero" to get in the book. Interestingly it is written by Arthur Bishop, son of Billy Bishop of Canadian WWI fame. Probably was researching his Dad and kept on going! Will look up anyone as needed or I can post a list of all those in the book?
I have this book as well Richard and it is an absolutely great read. Again always willing to look up anything if anyone needs something. Sniper eep:
Would that be The splendid hundred: The true story of Canadians who flew in the greatest air battle of World War II ? He himself served in 401 Squadron flying Spitfires
Very slow at the moment Spidge. It looks like it won't be getting printed before my next trip over there in September. Good thing about that though is i'll be able to talk to the father in law who would of known most if not all of them. I'm going to have to get down to some serious research over the next few months thats for sure. How is your research going? If you'd like to send me an updated data sheet so i can check it and see if i have any of your missing guys. Sniper eep:
