419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Halifax JD456

Crew members of Halifax JD456

The Parker crew were posted to 419 squadron from No.1664 Conversion Unit at Croft, in September 10th of 1943 along with his crew
P/O F. Hartnett Navigator
Sgt. R.N. Ross WAG
Sgt. J.L. Donald Bomb Aimer
Sgt. G.M.A. Fournier Air Gunner
Sgt. D.A. Hopper Air Gunner
Sgt. H.T. Raine F/E.

Sgt. Harold Raine had been with 419 squadron as a LAC his trade being a Fitter Class II when he took the opportunity to remuster and train as a Flight Engineer. This was an option given to a number of men in the squadron who had trade skills which showed aptitude for the F/E trade. It was presented at a parade of the all those trades and they were given a period of time to accept. Flight "A"'s F/S Fred Sinclair mentions this parade in his story.
As Sergeant Parker, he and his crew flew on their first operation for 419 squadron on September 27th headed for Hannover. It was not an ideal first operation on the way there the "Gee" system burst into flames and they also lost their DR unit. Unable to proceed they returned to base. The next three operations were completed with no notes on problem, but fifth operation saw problems with the rear gun turret becoming inoperable and a danger to aircraft from rear attacks. The next operation which was to be Mannheim saw not only his aircraft but several others overcome with icing problems. In addition to the normal problems caused by icing his aircaft now had an incendiary bomb hung up in the rack. No mention if the problem was resolved before landing or if they landed with a very dicey situation of a bomb becoming undone when the Halifax hit the runway on landing. Several other operations to such targets as Leverkusen and Frankfurt passed before another icing problem resulted in having the right landing gear stuck in the down position, this mission to Leipzig was terminated.
At the beginning of February it was becoming clear to Bomber Command that the Halifax was no longer a front line quality bomber and so by the end of the month the Halifax was designated the status of second line aircraft. This would not save F/S Parker and his crew as the decsion was made later in the month. They noted in the log that the operation of February 12/13 was an uneventful run. The crew had not been on any operations before this February 12/13 operation since night of December 3/4. Now coming up was a large scale raid on Berlin. On the night of February 15/16 Halifax JD456 and Parker's crew along with 890 other bombers were involved in the largest raid ever on Berlin. The large force was mainly made up of Lancasters but still having over 300 Halifax aircraft assigned to the operation. A fake attack on Frankfurt failed to work to Bomber Commands advantage with the result of the loss of 43 heavy bombers and many crew men.
No exact cause is listed for the loss of JD456, night fighters were heavily involved over the city of Berlin even with their own flak blasting away at the bomber formations fighters were observed weaving in and out of the target area. All that is known is that the crew came down in the sea South of Langeland Denmark. It was the eleventh operation for the crew. Only three bodies were recovered, those of P/O Donald, F/S Fournier and Sgt. Raine.

Crew members of Halifax JD456

Pilot Officer

John Allen Parker

Pilot Age 23 11th op.
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Minnedosa Manitoba
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Flying Officer

Frederick Hartnett

Navigator Age 23 11th op. Husband of Audrey Hartnett
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From East Whitby Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Pilot Officer

James Leo Donald

Bomb Aimer Age 25 11th op.
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Grandview Manitoba
Burial Magleby Churchyard, Langeland, Denmark

Pilot Officer

Mark Alexander Gerard Fournier

Rear Gunner Age 21 Husband of Marie Fournier
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Hull Quebec
Burial Magleby Churchyard, Langeland, Denmark

Sergeant

Dennis Albert Hopper

Air Gunner Age 19 RAF
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Dover, England
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Flight Sergeant

Reginald Norman Ross

WAG Age 21 RAF
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Stourport-on-Severn, Worcastershire, England
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

Harold Thomas Raine

F/E Age 26
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Vancouver B.C.
Burial Aabenraa Cemetery , Denmark

Crew members of Halifax JD456

Pilot Officer

John Allen Parker

Pilot Age 23 11th op. Killed In Action February 15th 1944 From Minnedosa Manitoba Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Flying Officer

Frederick Hartnett

Navigator Age 23 11th op. Husband of Audrey Hartnett Killed In Action February 15th 1944 From East Whitby Ontario Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Pilot Officer

James Leo Donald

Bomb Aimer Age 25 11th op. Killed In Action February 15th 1944 From Grandview Manitoba Burial Magleby Churchyard, Langeland, Denmark

Pilot Officer

Mark Alexander Gerard Fournier

Rear Gunner Age 21 Husband of Marie Fournier Killed In Action February 15th 1944 From Hull Quebec Burial Magleby Churchyard, Langeland, Denmark

Sergeant

Dennis Albert Hopper

Air Gunner Age 19 RAF Killed In Action February 15th 1944 From Dover, England Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Flight Sergeant

Reginald Norman Ross

WAG Age 21 RAF Killed In Action February 15th 1944 From Stourport-on-Severn, Worcastershire, England Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

Harold Thomas Raine

F/E Age 26 Killed In Action February 15th 1944 From Vancouver B.C. Burial Aabenraa Cemetery , Denmark

Pilot Age 23 11th op.
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Minnedosa Manitoba
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Navigator Age 23 11th op. Husband of Audrey Hartnett
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From East Whitby Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Bomb Aimer Age 25 11th op.
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Grandview Manitoba
Burial Magleby Churchyard, Langeland, Denmark

Rear Gunner Age 21 Husband of Marie Fournier
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Hull Quebec
Burial Magleby Churchyard, Langeland, Denmark

Air Gunner Age 19 RAF
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Dover, England
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

WAG Age 21 RAF
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Stourport-on-Severn, Worcastershire, England
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

F/E Age 26
Killed In Action February 15th 1944
From Vancouver B.C.
Burial Aabenraa Cemetery , Denmark