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Operation: Watten, France
Date: 25th August 1944 (Friday)
Unit: 640 Squadron
Type: Halifax III
Serial: NA578
Code: C8:?
Base: RAF Leconfield, Yorkshire
Location: Thought to be in the Éperlecques area, France
Pilot: Plt Off. Cyril Arthur White 179590 RAFVR Killed
Flt Eng: Sgt. Harry Ward 2221266 RAFVR age 21. Killed
Nav: Flt Sgt. Stanley Jenkins 1451229 RAFVR Killed
Bomb Aimer: Flt Sgt. James Douglas Duffin R182129 RCAF Age 28. Killed
WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Geoffrey Edward Warren 2201288 RAFVR Age 19. Killed
Air Gnr: Sgt. Arthur John Alden 1850102 RAFVR Killed
Air Gnr: Sgt. Ronald Albert John Bosworth 1807185 RAFVR Age 20. Killed
Flt Sgt. James Douglas Duffin from his service record. (courtesy John Jones)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off from RAF Leconfield in Yorkshire at 18:30 hrs on a daylight operation. 161 aircraft taking part - 140 Halifaxes, 16 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitoes to bomb various German V1 Launch sites and storage depots.
No details on how Halifax NA578 was brought down but strongly suspected to be a victim of anti-aircraft fire. One of 4 aircraft lost. 2 Lancasters and 2 Halifaxes with another Halifax managing to return with flak damage and subsequently written off. 19 aircrew were killed, 2 evaded capture, 3 others injured.
Plaque at Éperlecques (sent into Mr. Geoffrey Gillon source unknown)
Incidentally this was also the day that the French 2nd Armoured Division along with the US 4th Infantry Division liberated Paris from the occupying German forces.Above: As described (Main photo CWGC, Insert Mr. Geoffrey Gillon)
Burial details:
Plt Off. Cyril Arthur White. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 6. Row C. Collective Grave 2. Born on the 29th April 1921 in Wantage, Berkshire. Son of Arthur Edward and Daisy Gladys (née Goddard) White from Feltham, Middlesex, England.
Sgt. Harry Ward. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 6. Row C. Collective Grave 2. Son of James Alfred and Emily Ward and husband of Dorothy Irene Ward, of Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England.
Flt Sgt. Stanley Jenkins. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 6. Row C. Collective Grave 2. No further details - we welcome any additional information.
Plt Off. James Douglas Duffin. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 6. Row C. Collective Grave 2. Born on the 20th January 1914 in Toronto, Ontario. Son of James Arthur and Olive Janet (née Brack) Duffin from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His mother predeceased him in March 1921.
Commissioned and promoted to Plt Off. (J92131) with effect 24th August 1944.
Sgt. Geoffrey Edward Warren. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 6. Row C. Collective Grave 2. Son of Charles Alfred and Bessie Elvina Warren, of West Hartlepool, Co. Durham, England.
Sgt. Arthur John Alden. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 6. Row C. Collective Grave 2. No further details - we welcome any additional information.
Sgt. Ronald Albert John Bosworth. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 6. Row C. Collective Grave 2. Grave inscription reads: "AND AS THE SUN GOES DOWN AND IN THE MORNING WE SHALL REMEMBER HIM". Son of Jesse John and Kathleen Francesca Bosworth (née Begine), brother of Doreen Violet Bosworth of St. David's, New Bath Road, Sonning, Berkshire, England.
His mother wore her son’s wings on her blouse every day for the rest of her life.
Researched and placed for our friend and fellow researcher Mr. Geoffrey Gillon - relative of Ronnie Bosworth and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Geoffrey. Thanks to John Jones for the photograph of Plt Off. Duffin (Sep 2021). Other sources as quoted.
RS 01.09.2021 - Addition of Plt Off Duffin photograph and NoK details updated
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 01 September 2021, 05:55