Hi,my name is William Longmore, I was named for my uncle Flt/Sgt William Longmore RAFVR, mid-upper gunner on board Lancaster X KB755, VR-F of 419sqdn RCAF which was shot down near the village of Auberville-la-Renault on the night of 7/8th August 1944. All seven crewmembers were killed and are buried in the village churchyard. When the German's released the bodies, the villagers made coffins and buried them in the village churchyard with great honour and dignity. This multiple grave has been lovingly tended and cared for over the last sixty-five years with flowers being placed twice a year every year.
I have been doing a lot of research into my uncle's demise as my dad did not talk about it. He and his other brother both served in the army during the war and survived. After finding the above information I thought it was time someone said 'Thank You' to the people of the village. I got a plaque engraved both in French and English and arranged with the mayor of Auberville-la-Renault to present it to him on behalf of the villagers. I also got a Poppy wreath (RCAF centrepiece) to lay on the grave. I mentioned what I was doing to the mayor of my hometown (Larne, Co Antrim. in Northern Ireland) and he gave me a Town Plaque to present to the mayor of Auberville.
We arrived in Auberville 10th Aug 09 and met the mayor at the town hall along with most of the village people including the two remaining people to have seen the crash and the bodies. The national flags were flying at the War Memorial and the village Standard led as we formed up and paraded to the graveside in the churchyard where the mayor made a speech saying we were doing them a great honour and that they looked upon the dead airmen as their sons who fought for their freedom and it was a privilege for them to look after the graves. The villagers laid a great bouquet of fresh flowers and I laid the poppy wreath, and a minutes silence was observed. We then returned to the town hall and I presented the plaques to the mayor and he in turn presented me with a basket of locally produced cider and wine for myself and also one for the mayor of Larne. My wife and I were then invited to sign the visitors book. Refreshments were then served and we chatted to the village people. The mayor said that the 'Thank you Plaque' would be mounted in the Town Hall. The following day we went to the crash site and with the help of my friend Laurent Viton and his metal detector, we found some bits of the aircraft which I brought home with me
Would it be possible that any of List members would have a picture of that particular aircraft (KB755) and or her crew? All I now need to complete my research is a picture of her.
Hi Mike, that is fantastic. This gives me four of the crew members, Walker (pilot) Durrant (navigator), Wilson (rear gunner), Merrick (bomb aimer). That leaves Schryer (wireless op.), Jones (engineer) and Longmore (mid upper gunner).
I didn't know about that site, I am forever grateful to you. Thank you very much, Bill
Hi Matt, I do have a copy, but I want to thank you for thinking of me. I have pictures of four of the crew members, but three are still missing including my uncle Bill. Do you know the address of the secretary of the 419 association? I think this would be my last option to get a crew photo. The crew members that I don't have are Schryer, Jones and Longmore. Thanks again, best regards, Bill
Hello Bill. I spent some time at Cold Lake going through the 419 photo albums this summer. There were many crew photos but none of this crew. You may find individual photos in their service files in Ottawa. Regards, Richard
Hi Richard When you were at cold lake you did not see any pics of the Stan Heard crew , lost on the Peenemunde raid in 1943 by any chance ... Just in case !!
Terry
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Thundering Heard is the Nose art of Halifax JD-158 my Uncles Aircraft in 419 Squadron
Hi Richard, Thank you for trying. I have pictures for four crewmembers, Walker, Durrant, Merrick and Wilson. Which leaves Jones, Schryer and Longmore. When my uncle Stan (Bill's brother) died my aunt burnt a lot of papers and photo's without telling anyone. I' not repeat what I said. Thanks again, Bill
Richard has a good point about there being photos of the airmen you are seeking in their service records in Ottawa. I've had good luck with this route, it'll cost you a bit of money if you can't do it person (I use a researcher in Ottawa), but you'll have the photos.
Given the date that the crew was lost it highly probable that their records contain photos as almost all records from 1944 on contain photos.
Hi Matt. Two of the crew members including my uncle was a member of the RAF and so their records are in England. I have received his service records but alas no photo. There is only one Canadian left, J A R Schryer and I can't find any for him. I have attached a picture of the graves in Auberville. Thanks again Matt, Take care, Bill
Hi Bill, I am looking for Basil Jones RAFVR for you on geneology sites,although a bit hard as CWG doesn't give any details!
Have you got any thing,like age,or where from?A As for Schryer-strangeley enough there is a "Rolland "Schryer listed on the War memorial for Hull,Quebec for WW2,but I couldnt find a John Schryer on it(if i am looking properly that is)
His 3rd christian name was Roland It could be that he changed his name . His aunt's surname was Latremouille and they seemed to come from Hull,Quebec. Will see if I can find out more down the geneology trails!! Sometimes I am lucky!
Hi Linda, B Jones and M G Wilson are the only two without their age on their headstone. I'm sorry to say that I have nothing on Jones at all, I wonder if he did change his name. I have attached the four crew members pictures. I am having problems with Wilson's pic.
-- Edited by bill.longmore on Tuesday 6th of October 2009 03:48:05 AM
Linda R Ibrom
