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.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

408 Squadron Crest
26/27.11.1943 No. 408 Squadron Lancaster II DS723 EQ-B W/Cmdr. A.C. Mair DFC

Operation: Berlin

Date: 26/27th November 1943

Unit: 408 ('Goose') Squadron

Type: Lancaster II

Serial: DS723

Coded: EQ-B

Location: Unknown. (Missing)

Pilot: W/Cdr. Alexander Campbell Mair DFC C/1635 RCAF Age 28. Missing

Nav: F/O. Wilfred Ronald Eli North DFC 114391 RAFVR Age 27. Missing

Fl/Eng: Sgt. Charles Frederick Kirsch 611336 RAF Age 23. Missing

Air/Bmr: F/O. Angus Ward Douglas 131827 RAFVR Age 26. Missing

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Fl/Lt. Sidney Arthur Henry Glasspool 133082 RAFVR Age 29. Missing

Air/ Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Geoffrey Fielding 162606 RAFVR Age 21. Missing

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Leonard Henry Matthews 53821 RAF Age 23. Missing

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took-off at 1716 hrs from RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Due to return at 00.45 hrs. Lost without trace.

Lancaster DS723 EQ-B on take-off from Linton-on-Ouse.

Page from Album of Honour for Brant County (see credits).

Act W/Cmdr Alexander Campbell Mair DFC Citation. Gazetted 24th December 1943:

“This officer has participated in very many sorties, involving attacks on a wide variety of important and well defended targets in Germany. Throughout his tour he has displayed great skill and determination, pressing home his attacks with vigour, often in the face of heavy opposition. On several occasions his aircraft has been damaged by enemy action but, despite this, Wing Commander Mair has completed his mission successfully. He is a highly efficient flight commander, whose gallant leadership and personal example have inspired all."

Burial Details:

None - All commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Right: Pilot and Commanding Officer of Goose Squadron, W/Cdr. Alexander Campbell Mair DFC.

W/Cdr. Alexander Campbell Mair. DFC. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 172. Son of William Campbell and Sally Mair (née Brown), husband of Janet Helen Mair(nee Carpenter) Of 1414 Hall Avenue, Windsor, Oakvile, Ontario, Canada. Also of 81 Nelson Street. Completed 18 Operations with 104.24 flying hours.

Mair Lake, Kenora, Ontario was named after W/C Mair in 1953

Sgt. Charles Frederick Kirsch. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 156. Son of Thomas William and Emma Kirsch, husband of Irene Muriel Mary Kirsch. of Gadoxton, Glamorgan, Wales. Completed 1 Operation with 8.02 flying hours.

F/O Wilfred Ronald Eli, North. DFC. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 127. Son of Alfred and Lizzie North, husband of Joan Mary North, of Stoke, Warwickshire, England. Completed 16 Operations with 94.27 flying hours.

F/O Angus Ward Douglas. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 124. Son of John and Margaret Douglas, husband of June Margaret Douglas, of Hastingwood, Essex, England. Completed 16 Operations with 94.27 flying hours.

F/L Sidney Arthur Henry Glasspool. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 119. Son of Sidney george and Lilian Glasspool, husband of Irene Emmie Monica Glasspool, of Norbury, Surrey, England. Completed 16 Operations with 94.27 flying hours.

F/Sgt. Geoffrey Fielding. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 131. Son of Fred and Annie Fielding, of Rochdale, Lancashire. Completed 5 Operations with 33.13 flying hours.

Sgt. Leonard Henry Matthews. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 132. Son of Leonard and Molly Mathews (née Fisher) of County Durham, England. Completed 11 Operations with 89.47 flying hours.

Special thanks to George McKillop, ex 408 Squadron and historian. Brant County records. For further details our thanks to the following, Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vol's. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vol's. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries (Updated 2014 version), Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

CHB 02.11.2021 Mair Lake, Canadian geographical feature added

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
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', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. 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 - 2023
Last Modified: 02 November 2021, 20:36

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