Took off from Chivenor in Coastal Command Wellington Mk VIII LB114 on an air-sea search and rescue mission.
Aircraft failed to return, no radio messages were received: Aircraft lost without trace.
Killed includes Keeping: Flight Sergeant William Robert Hawthorne RCAF R/68194 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 104. Flight Sergeant Douglas Gordon Ide RCAF R/85663 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 104. Flight Sergeant Arthur James Skirten RCAF R/103730 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 106. Flight Sergeant John Richard Graham McFarland RCAF R/112891 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 105. Flying Officer John Brian Thornton RAF 121409 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 67.
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)