Operation: Training

Date: 12/13th May 1944 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit: No: 576 Squadron

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: ND403

Code: UL-G2

Base: Elsham Woods, Lincolnshire

Location: Not yet known

Pilot: P/O. Jack Parkinson 172426 RAFVR Age 22. Missing

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Anthony Frank Raymond 1237388 RAFVR Age 21. Missing

Nav: Fl/Sgt. Edward Johnson 1395353 RAFVR Age 21. Missing

Air/Bmr: Sgt. George William Wilson 1580045 RAFVR Age 25. Missing

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Kenneth Victor Mant 1601439 RAFVR Age 20. Missing

Air/Gnr (mid upper): Sgt. Herbert Horace Dixon 2211099 RAFVR Age 33. Missing

Air/Gnr (rear): Sgt. Alfred Eland 1594431 RAFVR Age ? Missing

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We would appreciate any further information on this loss as well as contact with other relatives.

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REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft was on a training mission and very little is known about this loss. The crew were all fresh from a Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU) and were taking part in a night navigational and bombing exercise when the Lancaster was lost without trace.

We do know that this aircraft was delivered from the factory to 635 squadron on the 24th December the previous year, then transferred to 550 squadron on the 31st December prior to joining 576 squadron on the 6th May, shortly before it's loss.

Left: Sgt. Anthony Frank Raymond (courtesy of Philip Isbell)

Burial details:

None - all missing, commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

P/O. Jack Parkinson. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 212. Son of Gordon Frederick and Nora Eileen Parkinson, of Hoylake, Cheshire, England.

Sgt. Anthony Frank Raymond. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 236. Son of Allan Frank Raymond, and of Annie Esther L. Raymond (née Gould), of Felsted, Essex, England. Also commemorated on the Felsted and Little Dunmow War Memorial.

Fl/Sgt. Edward Johnson. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 219. Son of Robert and Ethel Johnson, of Brighton, Sussex, husband of Rose Ann Johnson (née Lasenby), of Brighton, England.

Sgt. George William Wilson. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 240. Son of John and May Wilson, of Ripley, Derbyshire, husband of Constance Irene Wilson, of Matlock, Derbyshire, England.

Sgt. Kenneth Victor Mant. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 234. Son of Victor George and Esther Mant, of Luton, Bedfordshire, England.

Sgt. Herbert Horace Dixon. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 228. Son of Herbert James Dixon and Hannah Maria Dixon, husband of Ena Dixon, of Rainhill, Lancashire, England.

Sgt. Alfred Eland. Runnymede Memorial, also on Panel 228. Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Eland, of Washington, Co. Durham, England.

Researched for Philip Isbell nephew of Sgt. Anthony Frank Raymond and for relatives friends of the crew. Also to Brian Johnson - nephew of Fl/Sgt. Johnson for additional details and newspaper obituary. Robert Stone and his work with the Felsted and Little Dunmow Roll Of Honour website. Further information from sources as quoted below.