AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Further data available at Allied Losses & Incidents database
.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.
21 Squadron Crest
28.08.1941. No. 21 Squadron. Blenheim IV V6436 YH-L P/O. Orme

Operation: Rotterdam

Date: 28th August 1941 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 21 Squadron

Type: Bristol Blenheim IV

Serial: V6436

Code: YH-L

Location: Maassluis (Zuid Holland)

Pilot: P/O. Frank Kerr Orme J/3739 RCAF Age 25. Killed (1)

Observer: P/O. Stanley Frederick Maude Gunnis 63809 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

W/Op/A/Gnr: F/O. Albert Henry Collins 82972 RAFVR Age 34. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft took off from Watton at 14:47 hrs. Hit by flack and crashed at Maassluis, Zuid Holland, 14 km west south west of Rotterdam.


V6436 was one of 8 Blenheims lost on this raid, 3 others from 21 Squadron, the others:

V5825 YH-R - Flown by P/O. W.L. Macdonald RAFVR (1 killed, 2 PoW)
Z7435 YH-S - Flown by Sgt. K. Hayes RAFVR (3 killed)
Z7447 YH-A - Flown by Sq/Ldr. R.A. Shuttleworth RAFVR (3 killed).

Other Squadrons participating were 88 and 226 Squadron. 88 Sqd. lost L9379, (3 killed), Z7445, (3 killed). While 226 Sqd. lost Z7289 over the target (3 PoW), Z7299 which crashed on take-off, crew safe.

The crew, left to right: F/O. Collins, P/O. Gunnis and P/O. Orme (Courtesy of Mrs. J.M. Kelly - daughter of F/O. Collins)Above: shows P/O. Orme and his crew back at Watton after a successful attack on shipping off the Dutch coast, 18th August 1941, just 10 days before they were lost in this same aircraft V6436 YH-L. P/O. Orme can be seen climbing from the cockpit, behind him are two members of his ground crew, next to them wearing his Officers cap is P/O. Gunnis, and far right on top of the fuselage is F/O. Collins.

Above: photo also taken on 18th August 1941, P/O. Orme is far right, P/O. Gunnis 3rd from right, as F/O. Collins climbs from his hatch, having given his parachute harness to a member of the ground staff.

(1) Orme Lake in Ontario is named after P/O. Orme


Burial Details:

P/O. Frank Kerr Orme. Hook of Holland General Cemetery. Row F. Collective grave 35. Son of Frank Laurence Orme and Mildred Kerr Orme, of Rockcliffe, Ontario, Canada. A Badminton Champion of Ottawa, awarded a Gold medal in Chartered Accountant's Course. Grave inscription reads: "For Ever A Little Bit Of Canada".

P/O. Stanley Frederick Maude Gunnis. Hook of Holland General Cemetery. Row F. Collective grave 35. Son of Matthew Gunnis, and of Elizabeth Dorman Gunnis, of Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. Grave inscription reads: "He Flew Past Hardship To The Stars. Ever Remembered".

F/O. Albert Henry Collins. Hook of Holland General Cemetery. Row F. Collective grave 35. Son of Albert and Rose Collins and husband of Winifred Emma Collins, of Shepherds' Bush, London, England. Grave inscription reads: "In Memory Of A Beloved Husband And Father, Who Is For Ever In Our Thoughts".

Researched for Mrs. J.M. Kelly - daughter of F/O. Collins and all the relatives of the crew. With thanks to the following sources.

KTY Map added 31.12.2018

Acknowledgements: Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to buy research books from Amazon •Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2021 Last Modified: 13 March 2021, 11:10

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor