Flt Lt, Norman Gardner

jackie442734 · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Flt Lt, Norman Gardner

matt · Air Vice Marshall

Hi Jackie,

I appears your uncle was the 2nd crew lost from 431 Squadron, here are the particulars from Lostbombers.co.uk..

"Serial range HE459 - HE508. 50 Wellington Mk.X. HE147-HE995, 672 Wellington Mk.X delivered by Vickers (Chester) between Nov42 and May43. Part of a batch of 110 Wellington Mk.1C/111/X/X11/X1V, HD942-HF606. For the full list of this large batch refer to Record No.6135. Airborne 1855 26Mar43 from Burn. Crashed in the sea. Four are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, but the body of Sgt Ducker was washed into the Baltic and he is now buried in Kviberg Cemetery, NE of Gothenberg on Sweden's west coast. F/L G.H.T.Eades KIA F/L A.M.Hill RCAF KIA F/L N.J.Gardner KIA Sgt B.V.L.Ducker RCAF KIA F/S J.M.Rogal RCAF KIA "

Here is a link to a squadron photo taken at RAF Stataion Burn, http://www.bombercrew.com/WGSorel/Squadronburn.htm

there is other info on 431 squadron at the main site: http://www.bombercrew.com/

Would you happen to ahve a photo of your that we could add to the gallery?

matt

Linda · Air Commodore

Hi again Jackie-if you want to bypass me and just foward photo to Matt that would be fine.
I am now in touch with a relative of another of his crew George Eades-an amazing War poet and actor in peacetime.Will have more info and photos on him with his relatives permission.

matt · Air Vice Marshall

Sorry Linda, I didn't know you were already in contact.

PS -Congrats on making Wingco.

-- Edited by matt at 16:09, 2007-06-21

Linda · Air Commodore

Thats o.k. Matt-I don't mind who posts the photo!
There will be more on the way!
Nice to direct Jackie to the site!
Yes am pleased as it is the first proper promotion in my whole life and for a change received it doing something that i enjoy!!

William Heron · Group Captain

Hi Jackie, Wellington X serial number HE 503 coded SE-S lost on operations to Duisburg March 28/1943. Crew, Sgt. Ducker buried Kviberg Cemetery. balance of the crew memorialized at Runnymede Memorial as follows. F/L Eades Panel 119, F/L Gardner Panel 119, F/L Hill Panel 172, and F/S Rogal Panel 180.
According to the Squadron O.R.B. The aircraft took off from Burn at 18.55 hours since when nothing was heard from it. The pilot F/L Eades was a poet of some note and had two books of poems "The Muse Hath Wings" & "Operations by Night" both published. F/L Hill was the Squadron Navigation Leader and F/L Gardner was the Squadron Bombing Leader. I know Matt/Linda has already supplied you with some info but I thought a little extra wouldn't hurt. Good luck with your research, Regards.

Linda · Air Commodore

I am doing a write-up on George Eades and the rest of the crew owing to the wonderful photos and poems that his nephew has sent me so anything i find out about the rest of the crew will be incorporated into that.
He was a truly amazing man and his poems are incredibly moving.

William Heron · Group Captain

Hi Linda, Bill Baluk mentioned George Eades to me a few weeks ago when I was talking to him. I don't know if he knoew George or just that he had good penmanship. How did you manage to incorporate the Halifax into your message area? Bill.

Linda · Air Commodore

Yes have been talking to George Eades nephew and he mentioned that he had been in touch with Bill Baluk ages ago, possibly when Bill set up the 431 Memorial? -small world!
I haven't got a clue how the Halifax was incorporated as i didnt do it!

Linda · Air Commodore

Has anyone got access to the book,i think by Bill barry on Saskatchewan airmen?
If so could anyone please looksee if there are photos and info on W/O Joseph Michael Rogal of Griffin,Saskatchewan & also Benjamin Ducker of Lashbourn,Saskatchewan.
Many thanks.