Operation: Patrol

Date: 13th June 1944 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 416 Squadron. No.127 (RCAF) Wing, No.83 Group, Second Tactical Air Force (motto: Saltum paratus - 'Ready for the leap')

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: MJ824 (1)

Code: LV-C (personalised)

Base: RAF Tangmere, West Sussex

Location: Benouville, France

Pilot: W/Cdr. Lloyd Vernon Chadburn DSO. DFC. J/2976 (R/63941) RCAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the 10th April 1941 he was flying Hurricane I V6698 (2) with 402 squadron when the engine failed. P/O. Chadburn made a wheels up forced landing at 09:40 hrs.near Dunston, Lincolnshire. The pilot was not injured and the aircraft was repaired at the base by the unit personnel.

During the morning the squadron lost F/O. Robert Wilton Murray flying Spitfire IX MK235. For further details see here.

The Wing Leader of 127 Wing, RAF, was leading two squadrons of the wing in a patrol over the Normandy Beachhead, taking off from the Advanced Landing Ground known as B.2. (Bazenville)

At about 17:30 hrs the Wing Leader, who was flying a Spitfire of 416 Squadron, led the squadron on a heading which inadvertently brought them into conflict with 421 Squadron at about 1,200 feet and just under the cloud base.

Although he gave orders to dive away his Spitfire collided almost head on with a Spitfire of 421 squadron, NH415, flown by Fl/Lt. Frank Joel Clarkand both aircraft broke up in the air, with MJ824 reportedly disintegrating.

dr. Lloyd Childburn can be see in the last part of the video - he is shown in the centre of the three pilots. (Courtesy 151 Chadburn Squadron)

(1) Spitfire IX MJ824 was built at the Castle Bromwich factory - fitted with the Merlin 68 engine.

(2) On the 06th June 1942, 19 year old P/O. William Edward Lundon 120530 RAFVR flying V6698 when the Hurricane suffered an engine failure. He attempted a forced landing 3 miles south of Montrose. The aircraft struck trees killing the pilot. At the time was serving with 56 Operational Training Unit based at RAF Tealing, Angus, Scotland.

'Gone is the Angel'. Author Major Robert W. Forbes - publisher 151 Chadburn Squadron (01st January. 1997) Contact 151 Air cadets squadron to order - see lincs below.

Burial details:

W/Cdr. Lloyd Vernon Chadburn DSO. DFC. Ranville War Cemetery. Grave V. F. 2. Born on the 21st August 1919 in Montreal, Canada. Worked as a clerk at the Bank of Toronto Then a salesman for the Red Rose Tea Company. His final employment prior to service, worked for General Motors, driving cars off the assembly line. Enlisted 16th April 1940. Wings awarded on the 04th October 1940. At 21 he became the youngest squadron leader in the Airforce. A Wing Commander of 118, 402 and 416 squadron in June 1943. In early 1944, Wing Commander Chadburn was appointed as Wing Commander of Fighter Operations at Group HQ of the RCAF Overseas. He was sent back to Canada for a War Bond drive in the spring, and upon his return was made Wing Commander of Number 127 RCAF wing, which included 403, 421 and 416 Squadrons.. Son of Thomas Alonso Chadburn (died 25th October 1925, age 69) and Florence Geneve (née Scott, later Allen) of Box 688, Aurora, Canada. Chadburn Lake is in Yukon was named after him as well as Chadburn Street in Oshawa City in 1950. Air Cadet 151 squadron was renamed '151 Chadburn Squadron' in honour of this pilot.

DFC Citations - 02nd September 1942:

'This officer has led his squadron with great skill. During the combined operations at Dieppe on August 19th, 1942, the squadron destroyed 3 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed 1 and damaged 7 others without loss to themselves. This achievement reflects the greatest credit on this officer's excellent leadership and he has inspired confidence in those under his command. He has personally destroyed 1 enemy "E" boat, and has probably destroyed a Junkers 88 and damaged other enemy ships and aircraft'.

DSO Citation - 21st August 1943:

'Wing Commander Chadburn has led formations on very many sorties during which 16 enemy aircraft have been destroyed, 6 of them by this officer. In addition, 3 E boats have been successfully attacked. Wing Commander Chadburn has displayed exceptional -leadership and great skill, while his fine fighting spirit has set a most inspiring example'.

DSO Bar - 30th November 1943:

'This officer has displayed outstanding leadership, great tactical skill and courage. Since being awarded the Distinguished Service Order he has led his formations in a large number of sorties during which 23 enemy aircraft have been destroyed and many others damaged; Wing Commander Chadburn shot down 6 of this total himself. Much of the great success achieved can be attributed to'this officer's sterling qualities'.

He was made a Chevalier (knight) in the French Legion d’Honneur as well as being awarded the Croix De Guerre avec Palme. Only three RCAF officers received the Legion d’Honneur, and Chadburn was the only one to receive the Croix de Guerre avec Palme.

Fl/Lt. Frank Joel Clark. J/4924 (R/56287) Age 23. Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery. Grave XXIV. C. 5. Born on the 12th May 1921 in Ontario, Canada. Enlisted on the 12th August 1940. Son of Frank Allen Clark (At the time he was a F/O. as the adjutant of No. 1 SFTS at Camp Borden, RCAF C/13857 - died 16th June 1975, age 79) and Florence Mae Clark (née Herbert - died 30th July 1922, age 24), husband of Ida June Clark (née Hart) - married on the 04th April 1942). Frank was father of one son, Barry John (born on the 21st January 1943) His father married again to an Edith Norma (née Budd - died 03rd January 1970, age 65) of 3818 Hampton Avenue, Montreal, Canada. They had two son's, John Norman and David of 4384 Draoer Avenue, Ontario. Epitaph: 'Born 12th May 1921 Ever Remembered By All At Home In Canada'.

P/O. William Edward Lundon. Kilcrumper Old Cemetery . Sec. A. New Ground. Grave 383. The son of Thomas Lundon (died 28th October 1951, age 69) and Maud Lundon (née O'Gorman - married on the 27th September 1923) of Kilkerry , Limerick, Ireland.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of these pilots with thanks to the National Archive. Kew. AIR-27- 1828-11/12. AIR-27-1816-11/12, Paradie RCAF Archives. Joe at the Flying For Your Life website. 151 Chadburn Squadron

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 - 2025 Last Modified: 27 September 2024, 18:16