| F/Sgt James
Schwerdfager was
serving as Bomb Aimer on board Lancaster Mk. X KB-813 coded SE-S
during a cross country training flight on October 25, 1944 in
preparation for the squadron conversion from Halifaxes to Lancasters. The aircraft
inexplicably
crashed 11 miles
southwest
of Bedford, near Tingrith.
killing all on board. The other
crewmembers were:
|
Name |
Service |
Trade |
Hometown |
Age |
|
P/O Gordon Wrigley |
RCAF |
Pilot |
Hawkstone,Ontario |
21 |
|
Sgt Frederick Smith |
RAFVR |
Flight Engineer |
Lincoln |
21 |
|
P/O James Schwerdfager |
RCAF |
Bomb Aimer |
Ottawa, Ontario |
20 |
|
P/O Robert Gillis |
RCAF |
Navigator |
Halifax, Nova Scotia |
22 |
|
F/Sgt Harvey Irwin |
RCAF |
Wireless Air Gunner |
Barrie, Ontario |
20 |
|
F/Sgt Alan Malaidack |
RCAF |
Air Gunner |
Halifax, Nova Scotia |
21 |
|
F/Sgt Harold Yerdon |
RCAF |
Air Gunner |
Brockville, Ontario |
21 |
Flight
Sergeant James Elliott Schwerdfager RCAF was born on May the 21st
1924, the son of Charles H and Nellie Schwerdfager of 344 Gilmour
Street, Ottawa Ontario. He had one sister, Marjorie and four
brothers, Gerald, Harold, Bruce and Charles (Assistant manager of
EFTS No 13 School,St. Eugene). He was educated at Lisgar Collegiate
and Technical High School. His hobbies were photography and
basketball.
After
completing his studies, he joined the RCAF aged seventeen and a half
in 1941.After basic training at Toronto and St.Eugene, he graduated
and gained his wings as air bomber at Portage Le Prairie in October
1943.After being sent overseas in October 1943 he was attached to
431 squadron after stops at 82 OTU and 1666 HCU.
Sergeant Smith is buried in Newport
Cemetery. The 5 Canadian crew members rest in Brookwood Military
Cemetery.
Sergeant Yerdon rests in the town
cemetery of his wife’s home town of Accrington, he
is also remembered on the Roll of Honour for Brockville Collegiate
Institute & Vocational School, Ontario.
Wireless Operator Sgt Harvey Irwin RCAF is remembered on
the Veterans Affairs of Canada, under Eastview Secondary School in
a special tribute written by his great-nephew-Jordan Mosley.
James Schwerdfager is remembered on the headstone in the
family plot in Ottawa as well as by Cora E. Doherty, a loving
friend.
|
