Bancroft, Ernest Walter (Warrant Officer 1)
Killed in Action 1944-September-20
Birth Date: 1923
Born:
Parents:
Spouse:
Home: St Thomas, Ontario
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
196 (SD) Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Sic Fidem Servamus Thus we keep faith
Base
RAF Keevil
Rank
Warrant Officer 1
Position
Bomb Aimer
Service Numbers
R/152458
St Thomas, Ontario
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)Crew or Other Personnel
Stirling LJ988
Mission
Stirling Mk. lV LJ988
Unspecified Oosterbeck, Arnhem 1944-September-20 to 1944-September-20
(SD) Sqn (RAF) Keevil
Market Garden
Stirling aircraft LJ 988 did not return from a re-supply operation over Holland.Warrant Officer E.W. Bancroft was also killed. Four RAF members of the crew, FS.s T.B. Cragg, C. Mabbott, A.J. Murphy, P/O. D.G. Benning and Driver (Dispatcher) AG. Neale were also killed. Driver (Dispatcher) A. Nye was captured POW
RAF crash reports, Operation Market GardenStirling LJ988 Mk. lV - Unspecified Oosterbeck, Arnhem - 1944-09-20 to 1944-09-20
Squadron: (SD) Sqn (RAF)
Start Date: 1944-09-20
Completion Date: 1944-09-20
Mission: Unspecified
Operation: Market Garden
Target City: Oosterbeck, Arnhem
Target Specific:
Base: Keevil
Take Off Time:
Squadron Code:
Radio Code:
Return Base:
Return Time:
Crash City:
Crash Specifics:
Crash Latitude: 0.00000000
Crash Longitude: 0.00000000
Crash Reason:
Flak Battery:
Enemy Claim:
War Diary Unavailable
6 Bomber Group September 20, 1944
26 Lancasters from 419 and 428 squadron were joined by 81 Halifaxes from 424, 427, 429, 431, 433, and 434 squadrons on an attack of gun emplacements and troops at Calais. The crews were over the target at between 6,000 and10,000 feet, releasing 1,225,000 lbs of high explosives. According to reports, the weather was clear and accurate bombing took place. Richard Koval (6bombergroup.ca)
Stirling aircraft LJ 988 did not return from a re-supply operation over Holland.Warrant Officer E.W. Bancroft was also killed. Four RAF members of the crew, FS.s T.B. Cragg, C. Mabbott, A.J. Murphy, P/O. D.G. Benning and Driver (Dispatcher) AG. Neale were also killed. Driver (Dispatcher) A. Nye was captured POW
