Royal Air Force War Grave Photos for Reference.

Flight Sergeant TEERMAN, ALFRED WALTER
Service Number 414436
Died 22/06/1943
Aged 20
Royal Australian Air Force
RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY
Son of Walter Gilbert and Rose Agnes Teerman, of Windsor, Queensland, Australia.

 

Sergeant (Flight Engineer)HUNT, CYRIL
Service Number 911975
Died 23/06/1943
Aged 31
9 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Son of Richard and Charlotte Hunt; husband of Nancy Maxine Hunt, of Whitwell, Derbyshire.
RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

 

Pilot Officer (Flight Engineer) TRAFFORD, HUGH JENKIN
Service Number 144884
Died 22/06/1943
Aged 21
460 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Son of James Leslie Bevan Trafford and Beatrice Lilian Trafford, of Sketty, Swansea.
RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

 

Sergeant (Navigator) HOSKING, ARTHUR LESLIE THOMAS
Service Number 865141
Died 22/06/1943
Aged 33
460 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn.
Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
Son of John Samuel and Ann Hosking, of Ford, Devonport.
RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

 

Sergeant (Air Gunner) O'NEILL, BERNARD DESMOND
Service Number 659011
Died 22/06/1943
Aged 24
460 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Son of Peter and Catherine O'Neill, of Millom, Cumberland; nephew of Elizabeth O'Neill, of Millom.
RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

 

Sergeant (Air Gunner) HETHERINGTON, JOHN
Service Number 1683293
Died 22/06/1943
Aged 18
460 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Son of John James Hetherington and Effie Hetherington, of Walton, Liverpool.
RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

 

Sergeant (Navigator)COOKSON, REGINALD HARRY
Service Number 658137
Died 25/06/1943
50 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force
RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

 

Flight Sergeant BROCK, JOHN ALEXANDER
Service Number 409287
Died 25/06/1943
Aged 23
Royal Australian Air Force
Son of James and Anne Victoria Brock, of Neerim South, Victoria, Australia.
RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY

 

Sergeant (U/T Navigator)ISTERLING, ERIC FREDERICK
Service Number 1631368

Died 25/11/1944

Aged 21

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of Frederick and Nellie isterling, of Watford.
Casualty

 

Flying Officer (Navigator)DENNIS, WILLIAM JACK EVANS
Service Number 153484

Died 26/09/1944

Aged 21

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of William Frederick Charles and Florence Emily Dennis, of Watford.
Casualty

 

Flight Sergeant (Pilot)COOKE, JACKSON C.
Service Number R/173576
Died 29/11/1944
103 (R.A.F.) Sqdn
Royal Canadian Air Force
C G M

Award of CGM - Lancaster LL964 - Mission Cologne, 9 September 1944.

On the 31st October 1944, F/S Cooke and his crew took off in Lancaster LL964 at 17.49 hours as part of a raid to Cologne. During the run up to the target the Lancaster came under heavy, accurate and sustained anti-aircraft fire. At the moment the bombs were dropped their Lancaster was hit by flak. The fuel tanks in both wings were hit and fuel was leaking out at an alarming rate but fortunately there was no fire. F/S Cooke knew that they would not have enough fuel to make it back across the North Sea to England so he flew the Lancaster back towards Allied held territory in Belgium. At this point the Flight Engineer, Sgt McGrath, informed his pilot that they were almost out of fuel already and could not continue much further. Approaching Namur in Belgium F/S Cooke gave the order to the crew to bale out whilst he was still in control of the Lancaster.

Cooke got out of the seat and prepared to bale out himself thinking all his crew had gone but was horrified to see that the mid upper gunner, F/S McCoubrey, was still in the aircraft having pulled the rip cord on his parachute accidentally whilst still inside the Lancaster. F/S Cooke immediately took over the controls of the Lancaster again and ordered F/S McCoubrey to take the spare parachute and bale out but by this time the aircraft was too low to attempt this safely.

F/S Cooke was forced to attempt a crash landing in a field. During his final approach the two outer engines of the aircraft cut out but he was able to make an excellent wheels up landing with remarkably little damage to the aircraft. Neither airman was injured and fortunately they had reached safety having come down at St-Gerard, Belgium behind the Allied front line .

The other members of the crew were all safe with the exception of F/S Mann who landed behind German lines but successfully evaded. He sustained a leg injury during his landing by parachute but survived.

On the 29th November F/S Cooke and his crew flew on a daylight raid to Dortmund in Lancaster PD465. Whilst approaching the target in heavy congestion at the Cologne turning point they were involved in a collision with another Lancaster, PD313, of 550 Squadron flown by F/O Simmons and crew. The starboard rudder of F/S Cooke’s aircraft sustained serious damage and he gave the order to the crew to bale out.

F/O G T Mortimore, who was the replacement Air Bomber, managed to attach his parachute with difficulty and opened the nose escape hatch and fell out. His arm was broken during the escape but pulled the rip cord with his left hand and the parachute opened and he came down in the top branches of some tall trees. Some German soldiers nearby climbed up to release him and he was taken to a hospital in Cologne where his broken arm was treated. F/O Mortimore also sustained shrapnel wounds to his face and leg and was later to find out the Lancaster blew up immediately after he had baled out. He was spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of the Germans.

The other Lancaster involved in the collision managed to return to England on its 2 port engines alone. After a difficult flight the pilot, F/O Summons, made an emergency landing at Manston.

Sadly for F/S Cooke and the other crew members there was to be no escape and they rest together at the Reichswald War Cemetery. F/S Cooke never received his Conspicuous Gallantry Medal which was confirmed on the 2nd January 1945.

 

Jackson Chartis Cooke - The Canadian Virtual War Memorial - Veterans Affairs Canada



COOKE, FS Jackson Chartis (R173576) - Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) - No.103 Squadron - Award effective 2 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 471/45 dated 16 March 1945. Born in Grey County, Ontario, 24 March 1924. Home in Oakville, Ontario where he was a student and construction worker for British-American Oil Company, 1942. Enlisted Hamilton, 6 July 1942. Attached to No.4 WS, Guelph for pay16 July to 30 September 1942. To No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 1 October 1942. To No.5 ITS, Belleville, 24 January 1943. Graduated and promoted LAC, 3 April 1943; to No.13 EFTS, St. Eugene, 4 April 1943; graduated 28 May 1943 and posted on 30 May 1943 to No.17 SFTS, Souris, Manitoba. Graduated and promoted Sergeant, 17 September 1943. To "Y" Depot, Halifax, 2 October 1943. Embarked from New York, 8 October 1943. Disembarked in Britain, 16 October 1943 and posted to No.3 PRC, Bournemouth. Attached to Headquarters, No.50 Group, 3-31 December 1943. Attached to No.2 EFTS for the same dates. To No.15 Advanced Flying Unit, 11 January 1944. Attached to Beam Approach Training Flight at Waterfield, 7-21 March 1944. To No.28 OTU, 23 April 1944. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 17 June 1944 To No.11 Base, 17 July 1944. To No.103 Squadron, 9 September 1944. Killed in action 29 November 1944 with this unit (Lancaster PB465 which collided with another aircraft; the Air Bomber - 152769 F/O G.T. Mortimer, baled out and the aircraft then exploded, killing all others); buried in Germany. Medal presented to next-of-kin, 10 December 1947.


One night in October 1944, this airman was captain and pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne. Whilst over the target considerable anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Just as the bombs were released the aircraft was struck by high explosive shells. Much damage was sustained. The starboard rudder controls were severed. The petrol tanks were badly pierced and the contents streamed out. Within ten minutes the petrol supply became practically exhausted. By now Flight Sergeant Cooke had reached friendly territory. He thereupon instructed the crew to leave the aircraft by parachute. As he prepared to leave himself, Flight Sergeant Cooke saw that one of his comrades still remained in the aircraft, having accidentally released his parachute inside the fuselage. Height was being rapidly lost. Nevertheless, Flight Sergeant Cooke was determined not to leave his crew member and promptly returned to the controls and attempted to effect a crash landing in a field. During his approach, with undercarriage and flaps retracted, two engines failed. Coolly and skilfully, however, this intrepid pilot achieved his purpose and effected a landing, incurring little further damage to the aircraft in his effort. This airman set a magnificent example of skill, courage and captaincy in most difficult and dangerous circumstances.


Training: At No.5 ITS he placed 52nd in a class of 119. At EFTS he flew Finch aircraft (32.40 day dual, 26.00 day solo and four hours at night). Also logged ten hours in Link. Flew 13.50 dual before first solo and had 6.55 on instruments. His Link instructor wrote, "Very good attitude to instruction, above average performance, coordination very good." The CFI described him thus: "Cocky attitude; loops and spins very good, very keen, slight tendency to change airspeed on instruments."


At No. 17 SFTS he flew Ansons - 7.30 day dual to first day solo, 85.10 day dual and 49.30 day solo; night flying was three hours dual to first night solo, 12.30 night dual, 11.50 night solo. Also 18.45 as passenger. Flew 11.50 in formation and 26.05 on instruments plus 25 hours in Link. Ground subjects and marks as follows: Airmanship (88/200, wrote a supplemental and scored 127/200), Armament (155/200), Navigation (112/200), Signals (179/200), Aircraft Recognition (60/100), Meteorology (74/100). Flying tests as follows: General Flying (216/300), Instrument Flying (150/200), Navigation (100/150), Armament (121/150), Night Flying (38/50), and Link (37/50). Deemed suitable for any role except Flying Instructor.


Course at No.15 (P) AFU was 8 Fevruary to 25 April 1944 with time off for BAT Course (see below). Flying on Oxford aircraft - 6.30 day dual to first day solo, 31.45 day dual, 28.20 day solo, 6.35 as passenger, 6.30 in formation, 5.05 on instruments and 11.25 in Link. Night flying was the BAT course.


Course at No.1 Beam Approach School was 8 March to 24 March 1944. All flying in Oxford aircraft (18 hours 15 minutes day dual, two hours five minutes night dual. All flying was done on beam and instruments. Also logged seven hours 20 minutes in Link. Flying tests as follows: Beam Approach Procedure and "Q" Codes, taken in Link (140/200), Receiver Operation (75/100), Instrument Flying (165/250), Cloud and Night Flying (160/250), General Application of B.A. Procedure on Flying (135/200). Assessed as follows: "Apart from occasional difficulty with his Instrument Flying this pilot made good progress during the course. Link Trainer work was above average and work in the air was of a good average standard. Standard of Instrument Flying was satisfactory on completion of the course."


Course at No.28 OTU was 25 April to 17 July 1944. All flying on Wellington X and III aircraft and at night (5.15 dual to first solo, 4.25 dual, 25.00 solo, 1.20 formation, 2.30 on instruments and 10.45 in Link. Ground examinations in Airmanship (210/300), Armament (205/300), Navigation (136/200), and Signals (60/100); apparently no Meteorology course. Flying test in General Flying (240/400), Applied Flying (120/200), Instrument Flying (150/250), Night Flying (60/100) and Link (30/50). "An average pilot and captain of aircraft with no special flying faults; has shown average keenness and experienced no difficulties on the course." However, G/C J.R. Bell specifically noted, "Not recommended for commission."


The website “Lost Bombers” provides the following information on the sortie when he earned his award, and the sortie on which he was killed:


31 October/1 November 1944: Lancaster LL964 (PM-H) of No.103 Squadron, target Cologne. This aircraft was initially delivered to No.460 Squadron, 18 May1944, joining No.103 Squadron on 25 August 1944. When lost this aircraft had a total of 389 hours. Airborne at 1749 hours, 31 October 1944 from Elsham Wolds. Hit by Flak over the target, which damaged fuel tanks and the rudder controls. The crew turned towards the allied lines and when over Namur, Belgium, the order to abandon was given. Flight Sergeant J.H.C. McCoubrey (RCAF) had the misfortune to open his parachute while still in the aircraft and by the time he had located the spare 'chute, the Lancaster was dangerously low. Exercising airmanship of the highest order, Flight Sergeant Cooke crash-landed at St-Gerard (Namur), 14 km NW of Dinant, without injury to himself or Flight Sergeant McCoubrey. Crew on this occasion were Flight Sergeant J.C.Cooke, RCAF, Sergeant E.W.McGrath, Flight Sergeant J.A.Goff, RCAF, Flight Sergeant A.E.Mann, RCAF, Flight Sergeant P.I.R.B.Hill, RCAF, Flight Sergeant J.H.C.McCoubrey, RCAF, Flight Sergeant M.O.Orr, RCAF.


29/30 November 1944: Lancaster PB465 (PM-F), target Dortmund. This aircraft was delivered to No.103 Squadron, August 1944. When lost this aircraft Had a total of 236 hours. Airborne at 1146 hours, 29 November 1944 from Elsham Wolds. Involved in a mid-air collision with a No.550 Squadron Lancaster. Sustained damage, the severity of such being that control was lost immediately. The other Lancaster managed to limp back to a crash landing at Manston, Kent. Crew were Sergeant J.C.Cooke, CGM, (killed), Sergeant E.W. McGrath (killed), Flight Sergeant J.A. Goff, RCAF (killed), F/O G.T. Mortimer (injured), Warrant Officer F.I.R.B. Hill, RCAF (killed), Flight Sergeant J.H.C.McCoubrey, RCAF (killed), and F/O M.O. Orr, RCAF (killed).

 

Flight Sergeant (Flight Engineer) COWAN, JOHN EDWARD
Service Number 1803789
Died 23/09/1944
97 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
D F M

On the night of the 23rd September 1944, Lancaster Bomber PB409 (OF-F) of 97th Squadron, Royal Air Force Bomber Command made her last flight.
Her Flight Engineer was Flight Sergeant J.E.Cowan, DFM, R.A.F.V.R. Jack was born in Poplar, East London in 1923. It was shot down on the way home at a position 2.5 miles west of Burgsteinfurt, Germany.

In June 1944 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for Meritorious Service.

 

Wing Commander DOUGLAS, JOHN KEITH

Service Number 403564

Died 08/02/1945

Aged 23

Royal Australian Air Force

D F C AFC

Son of Thomas Sholto Douglas and Marion Annie Douglas, of Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia.

403564 Wing Commander John Keith DOUGLAS of 467 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force.

John Douglas was born to Thomas and Marion Douglas of Manly, New South Wales on the 17th of June 1921. He attended Knox Grammar School and Scots College, and later became a salesman for David Jones.

Douglas enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in February 1941 at the age of 19. He showed a great aptitude for flying in his training in Australia and in Canada, where he was sent as a part of the Empire Air Training Scheme. From Canada he went to the United Kingdom where he was seconded to the Royal Air Force for service in Europe.
Douglas was first posted to 103 Squadron, and flew 25 sorties over Europe in Halifax and Lancaster bombers. He flew with great daring and skill. On one occasion he was on a mine-laying operation in heavy cloud. Although his blind flying instruments stopped working, he carried on and finished the mission. On another occasion he was approaching his target over Munich when his aircraft was attacked by an enemy night fighter. Douglas skilfully manoeuvred his plane into a position which enabled his gunners to destroy the fighter, after which he calmly flew over the target. For these exploits he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In 1944 he switched to flying Lancaster bombers and was posted to 460 Squadron for six operations over Europe. During his time here he was awarded the Air Force Cross, and displayed quiet confidence and a keen spirit. Douglas was a man who commanded respect. In October 1944 he was promoted to Wing Commander and made one of the youngest squadron commanders in the Royal Australian Air Force with command of 467 Squadron. He flew a further seven successful operations over Europe with his new Squadron in a Lancaster bomber.
On the 8th of February 1945, Wing Commander Douglas and his crew flew a sortie against the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Between ten and twenty minutes after leaving the target, the Lancaster bomber gave a great lurch, and had probably been hit by an enemy night fighter. Soon the port wing was on fire and Douglas gave the order to bail out. Four of his crew jumped successfully – three were made prisoners of war and one managed to escape capture and got to England. Three of the crew, including Wing Commander John Douglas, who was holding the plane steady so that the others could get out, did not survive the accident. The bodies of Douglas, his bomb aimer and his navigator were recovered by the Germans and buried. They now lie in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. John Douglas was just 23 years old.

​

 

LONDON, ENGLAND. 1943-05-11. 403564 FLIGHT LIEUTENANT J. K. DOUGLAS DFC, WILLOUGHBY, NSW, WITH ...

 

Flying Officer (Pilot) TULL, DESMOND TREVOR
Service Number 169425
Died 18/12/1944
85 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
D F C

8 Confirmed "Kills".

​

 

Sergeant (Air Gunner) COLLINS, ARTHUR VICTOR
Service Number 625920
Died 27/11/1943
Aged 24
166 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force
D F M
Son of James and Florence Mahala Collins, of Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey; husband of Mary Vera Collins.

 

Flight Lieutenant HOWELLS, FRANCIS JOHN
Service Number 419044
Died 03/03/1945
Aged 20
Royal Australian Air Force
D F C
Son of Frank and Ada May Howells, of Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.

Ft/Lt Howells' Lancaster was shot down on 3/4th March 1945 whilst on a mission over the Dortmund Ems Canal. Two of the crew survived: Sgt J M H Millar, RAF and Flt Sgt Eugene Foreman, RAAF. Other members of the crew were Sgt Charles Billard, RAF; F/Sgt Douglas Bates, RAF; Flt Sgt Philip T Barlow, RAF; Flt Sgt Osric Elliott, RAAF. They flew from RAF Waddington, with Squadron.

 

Squadron Leader (Navigator) TAYLOR, ALBERT EDWARD
Service Number 44406
Died 02/01/1944
Aged 28
7 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force
D F M
Son of Ernest and Edith Taylor, of Kilburn, Middlesex.

 

Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) HUCKLE, ALAN WILLIAM
Service Number 128891
Died 19/03/1945
640 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
D F C