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.

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."

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.