Can anybody give me any information on a Sergeant Coleman RCAF Service number R193296. I have information that he died of wounds on 24th September 1944 but cannot find any reference to him (or similar names) on the CWGC site. Does anybody know if it's possible to get a name from a service number? John
Horsapassenger P.O Henry Ewart Coleman is listed as having died in 1944 - but no number listed on the Canadian Veterans list of fatalities......try the VAC-ACC.GC.CA information website......here is the Coleman listing http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/content/collections/books/bww2/ww2277.jpg Cheers
Horsapassenger Sorry about that - wrong page - try this one again - NO numbers http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/content/collections/books/bww2/ww2276.jpg
Using Geoff's Search Engine I've looked for lots of different ideas but can't find any that fit. 1 Colman on that day. 008 COLMAN HE J/93540 48 RAF SQDN 24/09/1944 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE No-one at all with that Number R193296. Here's all the Colemans in RCAF. 001 COLEMAN CF R/60598 - 09/06/1944 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 002 COLEMAN JR J/5816 411 SQDN 08/12/1941 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 003 COLEMAN ELJ R/75449 - 10/05/1942 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 004 COLEMAN WP R/91480 - 08/09/1943 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 005 COLEMAN RN R/80183 - 11/03/1942 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 006 COLEMAN EA R/104890 - 08/05/1942 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 007 COLEMAN JR R/94226 570 RAF SQDN 18/09/1944 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE
Tom/Owen Many thanks. I think that it must be Colman H E that Owen mentions. Although the service number is wrong the other information about this person certainly corresponds. Many thanks - you've saved me a lot of work John
Horsapassenger/ Owen this is odder by the minute - P.O. Henry Everist COLMAN RCAF is listed on the first file of DVA-ACC deceased - but only COLEMAN - with no HE on second file ..... Cheers
I have information that he died of wounds on 24th September 1944 Using Geoff's Search Engine I've looked for lots of different ideas but can't find any that fit. 1 Colman on that day. 008 COLMAN HE J/93540 48 RAF SQDN 24/09/1944 ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE Details of the above loss. 23 September 1944 48 Squadron Dakota KG370 Crashed Rosanpolder (near railway line to Nijmegan) P/O. Colman was wounded during the action which resulted in the crash of the Dakota, he died of his wounds in hospital on 24 September. More details to follow if required.
Hi John, Looks like another name for the new ROH Cheers Tom John Peter's right thats the Dak he was in look at page 146 of the 4th ROH he's in that
Is this the Dakota? Thats the one Paul John, contact member JTForbes, he has extensive info regarding the crash after researching Springsteele, who was one of the crew. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/members/jrforbes.html
"The pilot made a first-class landing but unfortunately was killed saving the lives of the crew," Gleave told the Springsteeles. "The rest of us jumped out of the burning plane and immediately were fired on by German SS troops, who killed Jim and wounded the second pilot and myself." Colman later died of his wounds while being held a prisoner of war in a Nazi-controlled hospital. This is an extract from a letter Gleave who was the only surving crew member sent to the family of Jim Springsteele
A few more details on the loss of KG370, taken from.'Though Without Anger' - Colin Cummings. The aircraft descended from an approach height of 1500 feet and although hit by AA fire it was not badly damaged and the approach continued. However, at 800 feet on the final run up to the DZ, the aircraft was struck by incendiary ammunition and set on fire. The pilot initially intended to turn back to the south side of the river but the fire became too intense and he decided to force land immediately. During the final stages of the approach, he was hit by ground fire and mortally wounded. Although the other seven crew members escaped from the aircraft, the wireless operator was killed by the enemy on the ground and the co-pilot received wounds from which he died in hospital. Two dispatchers were taken prisoner along with the navigator but the dispatchers evaded capture initially but were killed later. Casualties.. P/O. Walton Ralph Pring 26. Pilot. P/O. Henry Everest Colman 19 RCAF. Co-Pilot. P/O. James Le Roy Springsteele 25 RCAF. Wireless Operator. L/C. Francis William Richard Simpson 34. 253 (Airborne) Composit Coy RASC. Driver. William Thomas Crossley 41.
Thanks to all for this information. There's also a nice photo of the crew on page 178 of "The Royal Air Force at Arnhem". The only mystery that remains is why did Revd's McGowan and Buchanan who buried him at the Municipal Hospital on the 24th record the incorrect service number! John
Horsapassenger- Well they probably had a torn piece of paper with pencilled numbers and names etc - and it might have been bucketing down with rain -and in the failing light at dusk - we shall never know I guess.....but it did happen like that on too many occasions ! Cheers
The only mystery that remains is why did Revd's McGowan and Buchanan who buried him at the Municipal Hospital on the 24th record the incorrect service number!John I wouldn't be so sure they did. The RCAF appears to have had a posthumous commissioning. The first number posted, beginning with "R" is an NCO service number. The one with J is a commissioned officer. This is why you see so many commissioned RCAF air gunners on the CWGC. J followed by a 9 indicates this man was not an officer his entire career.
Thanks to all for this information. There's also a nice photo of the crew on page 178 of "The Royal Air Force at Arnhem". The only mystery that remains is why did Revd's McGowan and Buchanan who buried him at the Municipal Hospital on the 24th record the incorrect service number! John Hi, You would't have a link to an internet site where I could see that picture of the crew, would you? Thanks and regards
Hello All, I spent most of yesterday afternoon visiting the cemetery and crash site of KG370 in an effort to find out more about my Grandad, William T Crossley. He was on board the Dakota as above. Is anyone able to offer me any more guidance on researching this further please? Thank you very much, Mark Crossley