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 with trace.
Killed includes Thornton: 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 John Richard Graham McFarland RCAF R/112891 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 105. Flight Sergeant Arthur James Skirten RCAF R/103730 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 106. Flying Officer Frank Tempest Keeping RAF 122140 KIA Runnymede Memorial Panel 67.
