207 Squadron - Gibbs Crew - Lost July 1944

Hi Guys,
I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction. I'm researching the crew of Lancaster III ND.570 from 207 Squadron, lost 5th July 1944. The crew included a relative of mine (Sergeant Robert J. Norman) and were all killed when the aircraft was shot down apart from a Canadian crewmember named Robert Inglis. I have the various official details recorded, but I'm trying to track down any photos of the crew or individuals from the crew or surviving family members. Does anyone have a suggestion of where some photographs might be found? The full crew was;

Flight Sergeant J.W. Gibbs
Sergeant R.J. Norman
Sergeant N.L. Wood
Sergeant E.R. Inglis
Flight Sergeant D.R. Croker
Sergeant D.W. Rawson
Sergeant J.F. Edwards

Many thanks!
John

 

Hello and welcome.
I presume you have Googled for Lancaster ND570?
This website details the attack, by 231 Lancasters on the V1 assembly facility.
That would have been a huge priority target, given that the V1 campaign was in full flow, and why, despite it being a bright moonlit night the attack went ahead, knowing full well that fighter attacks would be fierce. It appears they used 2 different exit routes to minimise losses, with 13 being lost, probably acceptable for the need to destroy the target.

Were you aware that a virtual namesake also died that very same night on the same raid?
NORMAN, ROBERT JOHN. Sergeant (Flight Engineer). Service Number 1136617. Died 05/07/1944. Aged 32.
207 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Husband of Doris Margaret Norman, of New Ferry, Cheshire.
Buried at ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION. Plot 7. Row C. Grave 5.
and
NORMAN, ROBERT HENRY. Flight Sergeant (Navigator). Service Number 1394301. Died 05/07/1944. Aged 24.
463 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Son of Thomas Hodgson Norman and Mabel Mary Norman, of Eltham, London.
Buried at ELLECOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Collective Grave (all 7 men).

What a strange coincidence, it's that that common a surname (although it might be in that part of the world! - 1066 and all that).

Have you already obtained his Service record, which might throw a bit more information for you?
Inglis may also have completed a Liberation Questionnaire which may still be available in the Canadian archives.

 

Edward Ross Inglis (1924-1999) - Find A Grave...


As Inglis died in 1999 his service file and any questionnaire will not be available until next year.

Regards,

Dave

 

Did I miss something, or is it my ignorance?
Where was the crash site?

Stefan.

 

Crash site not known, possibly offshore near Dieppe, maybe CWGC have details as to where Sgt Norman's body was initially found?
He may have been washed ashore, but now buried in Abbeville.
Had it been on land, it ought to have been located by now.

 

Flight Sergeant CROKER, DESMOND RIMMER
Service Number 1077090

Died 05/07/1944

207 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of George Alfred and Gladys Mary Croker, of Blackpool, Lancashire.
Casualty
Panel 216

 

Flight Sergeant GIBBS, JOHN WILLIAM
Service Number 1585370

Died 05/07/1944

Aged 22

207 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Gibbs, of Knowle, Bristol.
Casualty
Panel 217

 

Sergeant WOOD, NORMAN LESLIE
Service Number 1580620

Died 05/07/1944

Aged 23

207 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of George and Florence Wood, of Acocks Green, Birmingham.
Casualty
Panel 231

 

Sergeant EDWARDS, JOHN FRANCIS PATRICK
Service Number 1897034

Died 05/07/1944

Aged 19

207 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of Francis John and Kathleen Edwards, of Camberwell, London.
Casualty
Panel 228

 

Sergeant RAWSON, DONALD WILLIAM
Service Number 1592699

Died 05/07/1944

Aged 19

207 Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Son of Frank and Eva Gertrude Rawson, of Burton Pidsea, Yorkshire.
Casualty
Panel 236