First the easy question. Can anyone confirm that this aircraft was EK-Q and not EQ-K? I thought all the 408 Squadron aircraft began with EQ?
Either way, does anyone have any pictures of the aircraft or crew please?
I am trying to find out what brought down this aircraft and would appreciate any help. I am hoping that one of the surviving crew members is alive today or perhaps there is a relative of one of the crew members that knows the story. Maybe someone knows where I should look for records that will give me an answer. I hear that it was very difficult for the gunners to get out quickly but one of them survived, suggesting they were ready to bail out.
My Great Uncle was the pilot (VB Gilson) on 2/3rd November 1944. The aircraft crashed in Belgium returning from a raid on Dusseldorf. The following four crew members were killed:
GILSON, Flying Officer, VERNON BEVERLEY, J/26151. 408 Sqdn.Royal Canadian Air Force. 2nd November 1944.Age 22.Son of Percival Willard Gilson and Doris Gilson, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.VIII.A. 5.
INESON, Pilot Officer (Air Gnr.), ALLAN CLIFFORD, J/93699. 408 Sqdn.Royal Canadian Air Force. 2nd November 1944.Age 19.Son of George William F. Ineson, and of Lucy Kathleen Ineson, of Kitchener, Ontario.Canada.VIII.A. 4.
REAUME, Flying Officer (Air Bomber), LOUIS JOSEPH, J/35091. 408 Sqdn.Royal Canadian Air Force. 2nd November 1944.VIII.A. 3.
STAPLES, Flying Officer (Nav.), DONALD ANDERSON, J/35924. 408 Sqdn.Royal Canadian Air Force. 2nd November 1944.Age 25.Son of John T. and Jean M. Staples, of Regina, Saskatehewan, Canada.VIII A. 6.
These crew members survived:
Sgt. A. Anderson, RAF P/O D. Woodworth, RCAF F/Sgt. W. Sutton, RCAF
According to what I have in my database the Halifax crashed at FOSSE (2 miles South-West of Trois-Ponts), Belgium. The wounded members of the crew were taken to the US 50 th Field Hospital. Crew: Gilson Vernon B J/26151 pilot RCAF (KIA) Sgt Anderson A. (WND) F/O Staples Donald A navigator J/35924 RCAF (KIA) F/O Reaume Louis J bombaimer J/35091 RCAF (KIA) P/O Woodworth D.H. RCAF (WND) F/S Sutton W.G. RCAF (WND) F/S Ineson Allan C gunner J/.93699 RCAF (KIA) I'm not at home for the moment but will look in my files at home next weekend if I can find some extra information for you. Regards and greetings from Belgium,
Alexander
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HIS NAME I OFT RECALL. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ANSWER BUT HIS PICTURE ON THE WALL
Thanks very much indeed. Its great to know where the crash site was and I really appreciate your help. I visit a friend in Kortrijk, so will be sure to go to Fosse next time.
He Married Olive Margaret Parnell (DOB 15/7/1924, London) at Old Windsor. She was in the WAAF. Olive is still alive. The last one left of her generation in the Parnell Family. Vernon Gilson was billeted with my Grandmother in Glebe Road, Old Windsor and married her sister, Olive. I have seen a picture of Olive and Vernon on their wedding day, the widows cross sent by RCAF and the letter from RCAF saying he had been killed. Olive and Vernon had a baby on the way but unfortunately it was mis-carried.
Vernons parents travelled to the UK in the 50's and had tea with my Grandparents. My Grandfather is still alive at 93. Writing this I am resolved to go and visit him today!
All the best,
Simon
PS: Happy to send you the picture for the 408Sqn Gallery.
-- Edited by sjeffs on Saturday 18th of July 2009 04:44:01 AM
I haven't found more information about the crash. The "Nachtjagd War Diaries" aren't clear enough to say who shot the airplane. I can send you the scans of the book with the story of the night fighter operation of that night if you are interested. Was your great uncle family from John Gilson, J88963, RCAF 431 Sqn, killed in crash (Belgium) on the 27/28 of April 1944? He was the son of Thomas Gilson & Buglass Elisabeth (both born in UK), from Scott, Saskatchewan? Regards,
Alexander
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HIS NAME I OFT RECALL. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ANSWER BUT HIS PICTURE ON THE WALL
Scans of the book with the story of the night fighter operation of that night would be great thanks.
The war grave details show he was from a different family of Gilson's to John Gilson.
GILSON, Flying Officer, VERNON BEVERLEY, J/26151. 408 Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force. 2nd November 1944. Age 22. Son of Percival Willard Gilson and Doris Gilson, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. VIII. A. 5. Thanks for you help. My e-mail is sjeffs@orange.aero
Hi Smon, Just as a matter of interest, do you know if your great uncle had any relatives that flew during the war? I have a J. Gilson (Canadian) who was a pilot with 431 Squadron and was KIA 04/28/44 - Target, Montzen.
Hi Smon, Just as a matter of interest, do you know if your great uncle had any relatives that flew during the war? I have a J. Gilson (Canadian) who was a pilot with 431 Squadron and was KIA 04/28/44 - Target, Montzen.
Good luck with your research.
Just realized my question was a duplicate --- sorry
Simon, FYI I took that picture of the Spitfire last year. It was recovered off the coast of Malta and restored and is now in the Malta Aviation Museum they also have a Hurricane.
John Gilson, J88963, RCAF 431 Sqn, killed in crash (Belgium) on the 27/28 of April 1944? He was the son of Thomas Gilson & Buglass Elisabeth (both born in UK), from Scott, Saskatchewan?
I think this is the same John you are referring to and it is a different family.
Do you have a clearer copy of the certificate please.
I have received the service records for F/O Gilson and there is a lot of information. The aircraft NP744 is confirmed as EQ-X. It was confirmed over the target (Dusseldorf) by the War Rooms at 19.14hrs. It crashed some 100 miles Southwest of Dusseldorf in Belgium.
The four crew members that were killed were buried in Fosse, No1 US Cemetery. They were later interred in Leopoldsburg, British Cemetery in 1947.
The records include the aircrafts specific bomb and ammunition load and the engine serial numbers. The ages of all the crew, their role, flying hours, number of missions and their next of kin. Two were lightly injured and one was severely injured with four dead.
GILSON, Flying Officer (Pilot) VERNON BEVERLEY, J/26151, 408 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force. 2 November 1944. Age 22. Son of Percival Willard Gilson and Doris Gilson, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Grave Ref. VIII. A. 5.
STAPLES, Flying Officer (Nav.) DONALD ANDERSON, J/35924, 408 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force. 2 November 1944. Age 25. Son of John T. and Jean M. Staples, of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Grave Ref. VIII. A. 6.
REAUME, Flying Officer (Air Bomber) LOUIS JOSEPH, J/35091, 408 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force. 2 November 1944. Grave Ref. VIII. A. 3.
INESON, Pilot Officer (Air Gnr.) ALLAN CLIFFORD, J/93699, 408 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force. 2 November 1944. Age 19. Son of George William F. Ineson, and of Lucy Kathleen Ineson, of Kitchener, Ontario. Canada. Grave Ref. VIII. A. 4.
A historian of Belgium asked me for these informations. They want to know the location of the crash . They want to install a war grave. Thank you! Bernard lcpl_wah@hotmail.com
Linda R Ibrom
