Archive Report: Allied Forces

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57 Squadron Lancaster III ED766 DX-P W/O I. John Harold Lemon

Operation: Frankfurt

Date: 10/11th April 1943 (Saturday/Sundqy)

Unit: No. 57 Squadron (motto: Corpus non animum muto - 'I change my body not my spirit')

Type: Lancaster III

Serial: ED766

Code: DX-P

Base: RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire

Location: Darmstadt, Germany

Pilot: W/O.1 John Harold Lemon R/85651 RCAF Age 21. Killed

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Harold James Coombes 911475 RAFVR Age 23. Killed

Nav: W/O.1 George Russel Holm R/86847 RCAF Age 20. Killed

Air/Bmr: W/O.1 Lawrence Joseph Lalonde R/82280 RCAF Age 25. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: W/O.11 Robert George Griffin R/80654 RCAF Age 25. Killed

Air/Gnr-M/Upp: Sgt. Richard Hywel Roberts 1124720 RAFVR Age 30. Killed

Air/Gnr-Rear: P/O. Daryl Owen McMahon J/17314 RCAF Age 20. Killed

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With thanks to Simon Muggleton who researched this loss and submitted to Aircrew Remembered October 2025

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REASON FOR LOSS:

The Lancaster aircraft in WW2 was a four engined heavy bomber, with a crew of 7, consisting of the Pilot, a Flight Engineer, an Air Bomber, a Navigator, a Wireless Operator, a Mid Upper Air Gunner, and a rear Air Gunner. To service this aircraft and keep it in tip top condition for operations against the enemy required a ground crew of over 30 personnel.

Richard Hywell Roberts volunteered to join the Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve (RAFVR) in the Spring of 1942 and trained as an Air Gunner, taking part in 21 ‘ops’ until being killed in action over Germany with his crew in their Lancaster ED766 (call sign DX-P), on the night of 11th April 1943.

This is his story:-

Richard Hywell Roberts was born at home in 1, Dee Mill Place, Llangollen, a small town situated on the River Dee in Wales, on the 7th April 1907, the son of Albert Roberts, a flannel weaver, (shown in 1911 Census) and his wife Annie (nee Evans).

Albert was born in 1868 in Paddington, London, whilst Annie was born in 1875 in Llangollen. They married at Penybryn Baptist Chapel on the 26th November 1892, and had 5 children; Sarah Margaret (born 7.7.1895 - died 1952), John E (born 5.10.1897), Albert Price (born 17.7.1900 -died 27.8.1965), Nancy (born 19.7.1902), Richard Hywell (born 7.4.1907 - died 11.4.43).

Sadly, Albert died on the 14th September 1917, with Annie dying before him in Llangollen on the 4th February 1910, both are buried in Glancollen Cemetery, Llangollen.

Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales

After leaving the local school, Richard became an insurance agent and collector in the town, marrying Dorothy Ellis (born 23rd April 1916) in September 1941 in Llangollen, before enlisting as a Leading Aircraftsman in the RAFVR in 1942. After his initial induction course and medicals, he was sent to an Initial Training Wing (ITW) at RAF Bridlington, and then posted to course No 20 at No 4 Air Gunnery School (AGS), at Morpeth, Northumberland, on the 24th May 1942, having been promoted to Sergeant in the meantime. Air Gunner students trained on the unpopular Blackburn Botha aircraft, which was very heavy and underpowered, often taking the whole runway at Tranwell airfield to take off.

Most of the exercises in training took place off shore at Druridge Bay, using Polish pilots, (Sgt Jaworski was his first pilot flying Botha W5152 in Air to Sea Firing exercises). These exercises were followed by firing Air to Air at drogues towed by a Lysander aircraft.

Air gunnery exercise

This course was completed on the 3rd July 1942, where Sgt Robert gained above average marks of 80.5% in the final exam, and was awarded his AG brevet, and recommended to become an Instructor, by the commanding officer of the Training Wing, Squadron Leader Simpson.

Blackburn Botha

Student Air Gunners No 4 AGS RAF Morpeth 1942

From the 15th July, Sgt Roberts trained as a Gunnery Instructor at No 1 Air Armament School (AAS) at RAF Manby, again with Polish and RAF pilots, this time flying the Wellington bomber. Qualifying as a Gunnery Instructor on the 4th September 1942, he was then posted to an Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 14th October 1942, as a Mid Upper Gunner, where he crewed up with his aircrew of Sgt John Harold Lemon RCAF (Pilot), Sgt D Akester (Flight Engineer), Warrant Officer George Russel Holm RCAF (Air Bomber), Warrant Officer Lawrence Joseph Lalonde RCAF (Observer/Navigator), Warrant Officer Robert George Griffin RCAF (Wireless Operator), Pilot Officer Daryl Owen McMahon RCAF (Rear Gunner).

All crews were warned that if they withdrew from training, no action would be taken, thereafter, if they withdrew for any reason, they would be reduced in rank, lose their wings, and all documents would be marked LMF (Lack of Moral Fibre), and sent to a correction facility at Sheffield, before being posted into the Army.

This crew were then sent to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit ( HCU) at RAF Lindholme, in order to train on the Avro Lancaster, followed by the Lancaster finishing school at Hemswell Lincs, before being posted to No 57 Squadron (5 Group) at RAF Scampton

Their first flight together as an operational crew on the squadron, was on the 14th October 1942, in Lancaster DX- K (Kilo) No W4250, which only lasted for 20 minutes, Sgt Roberts recording in his flying log-book; Did Not Complete Operation - Plane U/S. It would take another 5 training trips in other Lancaster’s before they would fly on an Operation over enemy territory, lasting over 9 hours flying, and attacked in the air on their first trip!

07.11.42 Target Genoa - 175 aircraft in total, the crew take off from Scampton at 1740 hrs in Lancaster R 5865 ( DX-D ) Bombing run commenced at 2142 hrs, dropping 2x1000 and 510 x 4 pound bombs from 10,000 feet, causing many large fires in the city, 3.4 % loss of aircraft. The two gunners drove off an attack from Me 109. Sgt Roberts recording in his log book; Encountered one Me 109. Landing at 0309 hrs.

20.11.42 Target Turin - 232 aircraft in total, crew take off from Scampton at 1835hrs in Lancaster W 4358 (DX-O), Bombing run commenced at 2238 hrs, dropping 112x30 pound incendiary bombs from 6,000 feet, all hitting their targets. Only 3 aircraft lost. Sgt Roberts recording in logbook; No Encounters. Landing at 0405 hrs. These two long trips to Italy could not have been very comfortable for Sergeant Roberts in his vital position as Mid - Upper Gunner. The British built Frazer-Nash bulbous shaped turret was mounted on top of the aircraft about midway down the fuselage, creating drag, and providing good visibility, but with no armour for the occupant. The gunner manned his position for the whole trip, with not much room, and was slung underneath the turret on a canvas seating arrangement. He wore an Irvin heated leather jacket and trousers, along with his fur lined boots and gloves to keep out the icy cold temperatures, some degrees below zero, at thousands of feet in the air. If the guns jam, the gunner has to remove his gloves, exposing the skin to the intense cold air which gripped his hands.

A few Air Gunners would lose fingers through frost bite. The turret contained two light .303 Browning machine guns that were fed by two ammunition boxes that each contained 1000 rounds of ‘ball’ ammunition, without tracer. These were tested before entering enemy territory, the gunner had to know every screw, every nut and bolt of these guns. He loaded and cleaned his own guns, if anything went wrong he had only himself to blame. The turret was hydraulically powered by the starboard outer engine and could traverse through 360 degrees, giving him a grandstand view, with ‘taboo’ tracks’ preventing him firing at his own aircraft. Once over enemy territory both gunners would be on constant alert, fingers on triggers, keeping up an almost continual commentary on what they could, or could not see, thereby helping the pilot, (both of them would have been tested for excellent night vision). The Upper-Mid Gunners field of fire however, was obstructed to the rear by the tail plane and fins, along with the wings, engines, propellors and the Navigator’s astrodome to the front. In an emergency, the Mid-Upper Gunner had to ‘squirm’ out of his position and retrieve his parachute from the stowage position to his right, clip it on, and either depart from the door in the fuselage or by an escape hatch just forward of the turret (designed to be used if ditching at sea). All this, as the crippled aircraft would most likely be spiralling down at a rate of knots, and possibly on fire.

22.11.42 Target Stuttgart - 22 aircraft in total, crew take off from Scampton at 1825 in Lancaster W 4775 (DX-J), Bombing run commenced 2206 hrs, dropping 2x1000 and 200x4 pound incendiary bombs, from 9,000 feet, all hitting the target. 4.5% a/c lost. Their aircraft was attacked by Me 109 which was driven off by the two gunners. Sgt Roberts recording in his log book; Attacked by 109 Aircraft landed at 0213 hrs.

Stuttgart Railway Station 23.11.1942

28.11.42 Target Turin - 228 aircraft in total, crew take off at 1956 hrs, in Lancaster K4250, (DX-M), but after 2hours 40 minutes two engines cut out while changing over petrol tanks, forcing them to return early, jettisoning their bombs over the Channel, and landing at RAF Upper Heyford.

8.12.42 Target Turin - 133 aircraft in total, crew take off at 1747 hrs, in Lancaster W4775 (DX-J), dropped 1260x4 pound incendiary bombs from 7,000 feet, at 2133 hrs, accurate bombing, fires still raging the day after. Landed at 0228 hrs, no encounters with enemy aircraft.

21.12.42 Target Munich - 137 aircraft in total crew take off at 1732 hrs in Lancaster W4377 (DX- L) dropped 1170x4 incendiary bombs at 2140 hrs, from 6500 feet with 10/10 cloud. Diverted to Linton on Ouse, landed at 0215 hrs. His logbook was signed off by Flight Lieutenant GW Curry at the end of the year OIC ‘A Flight’.

16.1.43 Target Berlin - 210 aircraft in total, the first attack on Berlin for 14 months, crew take off at 1635 hrs, in Lancaster W 4775 (DX-J), Sgt R Brotherton takes on role of Flt Engineer. 1x4000 and 720 x4 pound incendiary bombs released at 2022hrs from 16,000 feet, guided by Pathfinder markers. Half the Berlin Flak Units were not on duty that night, so a lighter barrage than usual, only one Lancaster shot down. The Deutschlandhalle ( Entertainment Hall - seating 10,000 people was totally destroyed - air raid police managed to evacuate everyone (combined with circus animals) before the raid. DX-J was followed from the target by a Me 109’s which Sgt Roberts recorded in his logbook; Drove it off. Lancaster J Juliet landed safely on 3 engines at 2352 hr

Deutschlandhalle Berlin 17.1.43 Before and After Raid

31.1.43 Target Hamburg - 148 aircraft in total, 3.4% loss, using the new H2S system (the first airborne ground scanning radar system that could ’see’ through clouds and adverse weather). bombing was scattered over a wide area with 119 fires started in the city. The crew took off in Lancaster W4252 (DX-C) at 0020 hrs, dropping 1x4,000 and 1,000x4 pound incendiary bombs from 17,000 feet at 0319 hrs. No encounters with enemy aircraft but the Lancaster had to return with only 3 engines working, landing safely at 0700 hrs.

2.2.43 Target Cologne - 161 aircraft in total, 3.1% loss, medium to serious damage caused by the 4,000 pound bombs. The crew took off at 1840 in Lancaster ED 348 (DX-N), dropping their 4,000 bomb and 1000x 4 pound incendiaries from 15,000 feet, landing at 2350 hrs.

4.2.43 Target Turin - 188 aircraft in total, 156 Lancasters reaching the city with 3 Lancasters shot down, the result was widespread damage with 29 people killed. The crew took off at 1810 hrs in Lancaster R5894 (DX-A), dropping incendiaries only, landing at 0220 hrs at RAF Wyton.

13.2.43 Target Lorient - 466 aircraft in total carried out Bomber Command’s heaviest attack on this city so far in the war, 7 aircraft lost (1.5%). The crew took off at 1905 hrs in Lancaster W4775 (DX- J), dropping a 4,000 bomb and incendiaries from 10,000 feet, returning at 0120 hrs.

57 Squadron at RAF Scampton 1943

14.2.43 Target Milan - 142 aircraft in total, 2 Lancasters lost, the Italian defences were usually . The crew took off at 1825 in Lancaster W4775 (DX-J), but returned early due to engine trouble, jettioyisning their bomb load in the Channel, landing at 2100 hrs.

16.2.43 Target Lorient - 377 aircraft in total,1 Lancaster lost. The crew took off at 1900 hrs, Lancaster W4824 (DX-H), dropping incendiaries on the town, which almost completely ruined it. This was the last of the large scale operations on this town, in all 1,675 aircraft dropping around 4,000 tons of bombs each. The crew landed at 0045hrs.

18.2.43 Target Wilhelmshaven - 195 aircraft in total, take off for the crew was at 1830 hrs in Lancaster W4252 (DX-C), dropping one 4,00 pound bomb and 12 containers of 4 pound incendiaries, 4 Lancasters lost. Bombing photos later showed most of the bombs fell in open country. The crew landed safely back at base at 0110 hrs.

21.2.43 Target Bremen - 143 aircraft attacked the city, with no losses, heavy cloud over the area was encountered, so no results seen. The crew took off at 1825 hrs in Lancaster W4775 (DX-J), but returned after one and a half flying time with engine trouble, ditching their 4,000 pound bomb over the Channel, landing at 1955 hrs.

25.2.43 Target Nurenmberg - 337 aircraft in total, 9 aircraft lost (2.7%) of the force. Poor marking by the Pathfinders resulted in most of the bombs falling on the northern edges of the city. The crew took off at 1915 hrs in Lancaster W 4775 (DX-J), which again suffered with engine trouble, and retired early, after 3 hrs flying time, again jettisoning their 4,000 pound bomb over the Channel, and landing at 2220 hrs. For most of the early part of March the crew were involved in Night Flying Training and Air Tests in Lancasters D-S-C-F-L-and U, an aircraft they would undertake their next operation on, known by Bomber Command as The Battle of the Ruhr, targets were against heavy industrial areas. There would be major changes in the top ranks of the Command as well , with ‘Bomber’ Harris remaining at his post as Commander - in - Chief. No 5 Group would now be headed by Air Vice Marshal The Hon. R. Cochrane.

22.3.43 Target St Nazaire - 357 aircraft in total, only one Lancaster lost, accurate marking by the Pathfinders led to a concentrated attack on the port. The crew now consisted of Flt Sgt H Lemon (Pilot), F/O GH Cleveland (Navigator), Sgt HJ Coombs (Flt Engineer), W/O GR Holm (B/Aimer), Sgt RG Griffin (W/Op), Sgt RH Roberts (MU/ Gunner), and F/Sgt DO McMahon (Rear Gunner), took off at 1910 hrs in Lancaster ED 348 (DX-U), with a bomb load of 11 x1,000 pound bombs dropping them at 14,000 feet in haze combined with a smoke screen. All 57 Squadron Lancasters on returning were diverted to other bases due to fog. Sgt Lemon and his crew were diverted to RAF Chedworth but overshot the 800 yard runway and crashed when attempting to lane. Luckily no one was injured but DX- U was a Category B (beyond repair on site, but can be repaired). The crew returned the next day to Scampton in Lancaster ED 706 (DX-A).

27.3.43 Target Berlin - 396 aircraft in total, with 9 aircraft lost (2.3%), most of the bombing fell from 7 to 17 miles of the centre of the city, with a lot of the bombs turning out to be ’duds’,(factories under stress in the UK?) The crew took off in Lancaster ED 766 (DX-P), ( F/Sgt LJ Lalonde now the Navigator), at 2015 hrs carrying one 4,0000 pound bomb along with 96x30 pound incendiary bombs which were dropped from18,000 feet at 2316 hrs, Sgt Lemon reported large fires with a very large explosion seen. Sgt Roberts made an entry in his logbook; Operations- Berlin followed by E/A 109 on leaving target drove it off. Returned on 3 engines. An interesting fact of this particular operation concerned a secret Luftwaffe stores depot located in the woods at Teltow (some 11 miles SW of the City), where the main concentration of British bombs fell. The depot housed a large quantity of radio, radar and technical equipment, which were all destroyed. Post war reports showed that the Luftwaffe at the time were in admiration for the accurate bombing carried out by this ‘specialist unit’, on this ‘Most Secret’ site. The Gestapo even investigated nearby houses, as someone reported seeing a flashlight prior to the bombing.

16.1.43 - Page from Sgt Roberts Flying Logbook

3.4.43 Target Essen - 348 aircraft in total attacked this city with 21 aircraft lost ( 6%). The Pathfinders used two types of marking which confused some crews, however bombing was concentrated causing considerable damage. Sgt Lemon and his crew took off at 1920 hrs with a bomb load of one 4000 pound bomb and 1000x 4 pound incendiaries, which they dropped at 2220 hrs, causing very large fires in the Eastern end of the city. The crew landed safely at 0023.

4.4.43 Target Kiel - within 24 hours the crew were being briefed again for this nights operation. 577 aircraft took part on the largest raid so far on Kiel (twice as many as the last raid), with 12 aircraft lost (2.1%). The Pathfinders encountered thick clouds and strong winds, so accurate bombing became difficult. It was also reported that there were a large number of ‘decoy’ fires started, drawing off some of the bombing force. The crew took off at 2114 hrs in Lancaster ED 766 (DX-P), with a bomb load of one 4000 pound and 1080 x4 pound incendiaries which they dropped from 17,000 feet, but could not see any results because of low cloud formations. They landed at 0222 hrs.

10.4.43 Target Frankfurt - 502 aircraft took part in this raid, with 21 aircraft lost, (4.2% ) (among these were 5 Lancasters), Sgt Lemon and his crew would be one of these Lancaster casualties. The raid was another failure because of 10/10 cloud base over the target, every photograph taken by the attacking force showed only cloud, Bomber Command had no idea of the damage inflicted on the city and Frankfurt reported the only damage was to a paper goods store along with a few fires in the countryside. The crew took off at 0014hrs in Lancaster ED 766 (DX-P) for the last time with a bomb load of one 4000 pound bomb along with 1000 4 pound incendiaries; According to the Squadron Operational Record, nothing was heard from the crew after take-off. Sgt Roberts logbook was endorsed; Failed to Return - Death Presumed 11.4.43 and signed off by S/L Avis of ‘B’ Flight and the CO of 57. His total flying hours were 67.40 hours daylight, and 129.50 hours at night.

The remains of the crashed Lancaster and crew were found at Eberstadt near Darmsstadt in Hessen later that morning. Their bodies were identified, and initially buried in Forest Friedhof, with just a simple cross Post war there was an agreement between governments that British servicemen should not be buried in isolated locations but rest together in special military cemeteries in Germany. His wife Dorothy was informed of this movement by letter from the Air Ministry on the 4th June 1948. The crew were relocated to the British Cemetery at Bad Tolz Durnbach some 28 miles south south east of Munich in Germany. (Grave 6, Row J, Plot No 9). Sergeant Roberts flying logbook was forwarded to his wife with this certificate at the same time as the letter from the Air Ministry. Probate was handled by his elder brother, Albert Price Roberts on the 26th June 1943 at Bangor.

Richard Hywell Roberts effects amounted to £336 3 shillings and 5 pence. Wings For Victory Week was approaching its end in May 1943 in Llangollen, and mentioned those that had given their lives in this war, reference was made to Sergeant Richard Roberts, still hoping for good news, even though he was posted as ‘Missing’.
On the 13th August 1943 the local newspaper in Llangollen were still holding out hope regarding Sergeant Roberts. Apparently his elder brother had received news from Canada that a fellow RCAF serviceman had seen the aircraft come down over enemy territory and the crew would be OK, landing safely. It was not to be of course, and it must have been devastating for all the families to finally have confirmation that they were all killed.

Richards wife Dorothy, later received three medals issued posthumously to Sergeant Roberts; the 1939/45 Star, the Air Crew Europe Star, and the 1939/45 War medal, all contained in a small brown cardboard box with a condolence slip.

The Lancaster Mk 1 ED 766 flown on that last operation was one of 620 ordered from A.V.Roe in 1941, and built from May 1942, delivered to 57 Squadron on the 25th March 1943, and would be destroyed in less than a month, with only 41 flying hours.

Sergeant Roberts flying logbook was forwarded to his wife with this certificate (shown below) at the same time as the letter from the Air Ministry:

Burial and ot details:

The crew were relocated to the British Cemetery at Bad Tolz Durnbach some 28 miles south south east of Munich in Germany. (Grave 6, Row J, Plot No 9).

W/O.1 John Harold Lemon. Durnbach War Cemetery. Grave 9.J.5. Born on the 09th November 1921 in Everett, Ontar; 'io, Canada. Son of Earle Clarence Lemon (died 15th June 1959, age 63) and Alice Elva Lemon (née Wilkinson - Died January 1984, Age 86) of Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Epitaph: 'And They Shall Bring The Glory And Honour Of The Nations Rev.Xx1.26

W/O.1 John Lemon shown left

Sgt. Harold James Coombes. Durnbach War Cemetery-led. Grave 9.J.1. Son of Alfred James Coombes and Lilian Coombes, of Greenford, Middlesex, England. Epitaph: 'Loving Thoughts Will Ever Linger Round The Spot Where Thou Art Laid'.

W/O.1 George Russel Holm. Durnbach War Cemetery. Grave 9.J.5. Born on he 12th July 1922 in Meacham, Saskatoon, Canada. Son of Otto “Happy” Holm (died 1978, age 88) and Margaretha Holm (died 1986, age 87) of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

W/O.1 George Holm shown right

W/O.1 Lawrence Joseph Lalonde. Durnbach War Cemetery. Grave 9.J.3. Born on the 12th September 1917 in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Son of Dr. Alfred John Lalonde (died 1953, age 72) and Rose Etta Lalonde (née Healy - died 1923, age 36)

W/O.1 Lawrence Lalonde shown left

W/O.11 Robert George Griffin. Durnbach War Cemetery. Grave 9.J.2. Born on the 08th February 1920 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Son of George William Griffin, and of Winifred Emily Griffin (nee Smith), of Pickering, Ontario, Canada. Epitaph: 'Glory To God In The Highest, And On Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men

W/O.11 Robert Griffin shown right

Sgt. Richard Hywel Roberts. Durnbach War Cemetery . Grave 9.J.6. Also remembered on the Llangollen and Llandysilio War Memorial Born on the 07th April 1907 in Dee Mill Place, Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales. Son of Albert Roberts (died on the 14th September 1917, age 49) and Annie Roberts (née Evans - died 04th February 1910, age just 35). Husband of Dorothy Roberts of 'Hendre', Market Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales.

P/O. Daryl Owen McMahon. Durnbach War Cemetery. Grave 9.J.7. Born on the 10th June 1922 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Son of John Joseph McMahon (died 1977, age 79 ) and Agnes McMahon (née McDonald - died 13th June 1972, age 72) Epitaph: 'May His Soul Rest In Peace'.

P/O. Daryl McMahon shown left

Above some of the crew grave marker, Below Durnbach War Cemetery

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the With thanks to Archivist, Peter Jones - Llangollen Museum, Llangollen Museum, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, International Bomber Command Centre Aviation Safety Network, National Archives - Kew London,Bomber Command War Diaries, Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everett, Bomber Command War Losses, WR Chorely, RAF Museum London. Article © Simon Muggleton September 2025.

Other sources as quoted below:

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