419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 Crew of Wellington Z1623

Crew of Wellington Z1623

Wellington Z1623 squadron ID VR-R took off at 1819 for an operation to drop leaflets on Aachen, after leaving Croft and the crew was lost not heard from again.
Severe icing while passing through a electrical storm over the South of England had been reported by the four aircraft returning early to base.
One forced back by the icing was the Wellington of Sgt. Frederick, which fell 2,000 feet because of the loss of control due to icing. Frederick's rear turret became completely frozen and was inoperable so he returned to base. Three returning aircraft experienced electrical problems with intercoms, wireless sets and Gee system after passing through these electrical storms.

Squadron summary records show eight aircraft assigned to Aachen operation, only two aircraft took part in bombing runs. One on the primary target and one aircraft on the secondary target. Four returned due to damaged electrical equipment and /or mechanical problems due to icing.

BJ729 was the second aircraft lost during this operation.

Crew of Wellington Z1623

Sergeant

Robert Doherty

Observer Age 24
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Toronto Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

George Erwin Robson

Wireless OP. Age 23
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Thamesford Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

Sidney Alexander Palmer

Air Gunner Age 20
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Red Lake Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

Joseph Howard Gourley Shaw

WAG Age 21
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From North Bay Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

Kenneth Edward Crewe RAF

Pilot Age 22
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Hull England
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Crew of Wellington Z1623

Sergeant

Robert Doherty

Observer Age 24Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Toronto Ontario Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

George Erwin Robson

Wireless OP. Age 23Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Thamesford Ontario Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

Sidney Alexander Palmer

Air Gunner Age 20Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Red Lake Ontario Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

Joseph Howard Gourley Shaw

WAG Age 21Killed in Action October 5 1942 From North Bay Ontario Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Sergeant

Kenneth Edward Crewe RAF

Pilot Age 22Killed in Action October 5 1942 From Hull England Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Observer Age 24
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Toronto Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Wireless OP. Age 23
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Thamesford Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Air Gunner Age 20
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Red Lake Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

WAG Age 21
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From North Bay Ontario
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial

Pilot Age 22
Killed in Action October 5 1942
From Hull England
Remembrance Runnymede Memorial