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Hartley, Charles Thomas (Flying Officer)

Killed in Action 1944-April-11

Birth Date: 1920 (age 24)

Son of Wesley Herbert and Emma Hartley, of Edmonton, Alberta.

Husband of Billie Hartley.

Home: Edmonton, Alberta

Service
RCAF
Unit
51 (B) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Swift And Sure
Base
Snaith
Rank
Flying Officer
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Bomb Aimer
Service Numbers
J/26313

Halifax B.Mk.III LV880

Bombing Tergnier France 1944-April-10 to 1944-April-11

51 (B) Sqn (RAF) Snaith

aircraft LV880 missing during night operations against Tergnier, France.

Additional Crew:

  • RAAF
    • Pilot Officer Horace Mervyn Hall - KIA
    • Flight Sergeant Mervyn James Fairclough - PoW
    • Flying Officer Frederick Godfrey Kirkwood - Evader
    • Warrant Officer John Bruce Osborn - KIA
  • RAF
    • Sergeant Gordon Joseph William Peck - KIA
    • Sergeant Patrick William Hegarty - PoW

The aircraft was attacked by a night fighter and the port wing set on fire. The Pilot attempted to blow out the fire by diving steeply but this was unsuccessful and moments after the order was given for the crew to put on chutes. The aircraft then exploded and crashed at Davenscourt (Sornme), 7 krn NNE of Montdidier.

Four of the crew were killed and Flight Sergeant Fairclough and Sergeant Hegarty were PoWs whilst Flying Officer Kirkwood evaded capture.

Those killed are buried in the Davenscourt Communal Cemetery.

Flight Sergeant Fairclough later reported: "We were attacked by a night fighter from below. The port wing was set on fire and the Captain tried to put it out by diving the aircraft. He also ordered put on chutes. I went forward to see if the abandon order had been given as I couldn't make contact. I was thrown to the floor and couldn't get up, but finally blown out when the aircraft exploded. Later learnt that the abandon order had been given. Captured a few months late by the Grestapo"
Source: AWM 237 (65) NAA A705, 166/17/526 Micro Film 463 0A_FH
Commonwealth War Graves Records, W R Chorley, RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, Page 168 Volume 1944.

General Air Crew Remebered LV880

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Home
Google MapEdmonton, Alberta
Target
Google MapTergnier France
Burial
Google MapDavenscourt Communal Cemetery
Row 1 Grave 3

Halifax LV880

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