• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists
Operation: Köln
Date: 2/3rd February 1943 (Tuesday/Wednesday)
Unit: No. 44 Squadron
Type: Lancaster I
Serial: W4819
Code: KM-G
Base: RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire.
Location: Luyksgestel Noord Brabant
Pilot: Sgt. Ronald Hordon 1379644 RAFVR Age 22. Killed
Fl/Eng: Sgt. Ian Craig Traill M.i.D. 986255 RAFVR Age 20. Killed
Nav: Sgt. Phillip Bernard Copp 13770415 RAFVR Age 20. Killed
Air/Bmr: Sgt. Lisle Cox 1030470 RAFVR Age ? Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Edward Charles Lawrence R/9329021 RCAF Age 21. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Frank Checketts 948084 RAFVR Age 26. Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Edward George Harrold 1225093 RAFVR Age ? Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 18:18 hrs. RAF Waddington. Taking part in a 161 aircraft force to bomb Köln.
Collided with Halifax II W7882 DY-P piloted by Flight Sergeant Ross Thomson of 102 Squadron Halifax coming down at 21:00 hrs. at Luyksgestel (Noord Brabant), some 20 km south south west of Eindhoven.
It is thought that probable one, or even both, had been hit by flak. (Flak units claimed both of these aircraft as destroyed). The Halifax of 102 squadron crashed at Hamont. All 14 crew members of both aircraft were killed.
Above crash site or rather area of debris found for the two aircraft (courtesy Adrian Zantvoort)
Sgt. Ronald Hordon and his grave at Einhoven (courtesy Sylvia Pigg - Niece)
Graves of the crew (courtesy Fred Munckhof via Michel Beckers)
Burial details:
Sgt. Ronald Hordon. Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. Plot JJB.G.17. Son of John William and Zillah Hordon of Wardley, Co. Durham. The eldest of five children, 3 brothers, John Desmond, Kenneth, Leslie and a sister, Vera. Before enlisting he worked in the office of a quilting factory.
Sgt. Ian Craig Traill M.i.D. Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. Plot JJB.G.12. Son of John and Esther Traill and husband of Nancy Traill of Balham, London.
Sgt. Phillip Bernard Copp. Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. Plot JJB.G.16. Son of James Rooke and Simone Copp of Kensington, London.
Sgt. Lisle Cox. Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. Plot JJB.G.7. No further details as yet.
Sgt. Edward Charles Lawrence. Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. Plot JJB.G.15. Son of Edward Thomas and Martha Elsie Lawrence of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sgt. Frank Checketts. Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. Plot JJB.G.18. Son of Eber and Ada Mary Checketts of Pershore, Worcestershire and husband of Dolores Checketts of Pershore, Worcestershire. Sergeant Checketts is also remembered on the roll of honour at the Abbey Memorial, Pershore, Worcestershire.
Sgt. Edward George Harrold. Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery. Plot JJB.G.9. No further details as yet.
Researched by Linda Ibrom for relatives of this crew. Photo of Sgt. Ronald Hordon courtesy of Sylvia Pigg. (Niece). Further details of Sgt. Horden added - courtesy Colleen Hordon-Clark Her father was Leslie Hordon. For the grave photographs, Fred Munckhof via Michel Beckers. Crash site photo Adrian Zantvoort. With thanks to further information supplied by Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten - "Nightfighter War Diaries Vol. 1".
KTY 08.11.2015 Details amended for Sgt. Hordon
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 - 2024
Last Modified: 08 November 2015, 19:57