419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Halifax JD457

Crew of Halifax JD457

Sgt. Maher who enlisted in Tipperary was Bomb Aimer on Halifax JD457 squadron ID VR-F flown by an all RAF aircrew on a mission to Mannheim. It was not usual for 419 to have an all RAF crew, although it was rare. The night skies over Mannheim that night of September 23 1943 were clear giving amble opportunity for night fighter attacks on the bombers as they came in for their runs. Flares had also been dropped, maybe silhouetting the bombers to the enemy fighters. Flak was also heavy and concentrated, 419 Squadron lost another new crew in this raid, Halifax JD971. Luftwaffe records show at least 20 aircraft brought down that night in and around Mannheim.

Letter From Red Cross and Order of St.John's
There had previously been no record of the original burial location of the crew. A copy of a letter send to Sgt. Maher's father, this Red Cross/St. John's letter shows the original burial location of those who were lost on that night aboard JD457 as Koblenz, which is North West of Mannheim. After the war the bodies of all the crewmen from Halifax JD457 were moved to Rheinberg War Cemetery in Germany See Sgt.Maher

Crew of Halifax JD457

Letter From Red Cross and Order of St.John's

Sergeant

John Kelly RAF

Pilot Age not recorded
Killed In Action Sept. 23 1943
From Not recorded
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

William Patrick Maher RAF

Bomb Aimer
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

John Morris RAF

Navigator Age 21
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Cumnock Aryshire Scotland
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

Robert William Stephen McNally RAF

WAG Age 26
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Antrim Northern Ireland
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

Donald Hector Pether RAF

F/E Age not recorded
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From not recorded
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

Hedley Brown RAF

Rear Gunner Age 21
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Leeds Yorkshire England
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

Stanley Thomas Mills RAF

Air Gunner Age 22
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Garston Liverpool England
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Crew of Halifax JD457

Letter From Red Cross and Order of St.John's

Sergeant

John Kelly RAF

Pilot Age not recorded Killed In Action Sept. 23 1943 From Not recorded Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

William Patrick Maher RAF

Bomb AimerKilled in Action Sept. 23 1943 From Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

John Morris RAF

Navigator Age 21 Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943 From Cumnock Aryshire Scotland Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

Robert William Stephen McNally RAF

WAG Age 26 Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943 From Antrim Northern Ireland Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

Donald Hector Pether RAF

F/E Age not recorded Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943 From not recorded Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

Hedley Brown RAF

Rear Gunner Age 21 Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943 From Leeds Yorkshire England Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Sergeant

Stanley Thomas Mills RAF

Air Gunner Age 22 Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943 From Garston Liverpool England Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Pilot Age not recorded
Killed In Action Sept. 23 1943
From Not recorded
Burial Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Bomb Aimer
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Navigator Age 21
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Cumnock Aryshire Scotland
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

WAG Age 26
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Antrim Northern Ireland
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

F/E Age not recorded
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From not recorded
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Rear Gunner Age 21
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Leeds Yorkshire England
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany

Air Gunner Age 22
Killed in Action Sept. 23 1943
From Garston Liverpool England
Burial at Rheinberg War Cemetery Germany