The crew consisted of:
|
Name |
Service |
Trade |
Hometown |
Age |
|
F/O Stanley Durrant |
RAFVR |
Pilot |
West Moors, Dorset |
21 |
|
Sgt Ronald Pearce |
RAFVR |
Flight Engineer |
Streatham, London |
33 |
|
F/O James Johnstone |
RAFVR |
Navigator |
Kircudbrightshire, Scotland |
22 |
|
Sgt Charles Brady |
RCAF |
Bomb Aimer |
Peterborough, Ontario |
25 |
|
F/Sgt James McIntyre |
RAAF |
W/Op/AG |
Manly, Queensland |
19 |
|
Sgt James Mackey |
RCAF |
Air Gunner |
Verdun, Quebec |
27 |
|
Sgt David Spowart |
RAFVR |
Air Gunner |
- |
- |
Flying Officer Stanley Durrant was the son of Sidney and
Gertrude Durrant and brother of Mary of West Moors, Dorset. He
attended the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wimbourne, Dorset and
as an "Old Winburnian" was remembered at his school for
his bowling prowess in cricket. He was a member of the Wimborne
and District(1069) Air Training Corp, having reached the rank of
Corporal before he left.
Stanley joined the RAF in 1942
and was sent to Canada for training under the BCATP.
He was posted to
No. 35 EFTS Neepawa, Manitoba where he was awarded his wings.
He was later posted to No.2 Flying Instructors School at Vulcan,
Alberta.
|
 |
|
Stanley
(L) with friend David Bowen (RAFVR) in Canada with local
prairie farmers |
He was also the much loved nephew and godson of his aunt,
Emily. On the back of Stanley’s photo (see above) she has
written:
"I shall always remember your smiling face, the time I
saw you last and I know in my heart I shall never find another to
fill your place".
 |
 |
| Obituary
placed by Stanley's Aunt |
Clipping
regarding Stanley's commission |
Stanley's Lancaster was part
of 549 Aircraft (378 Lancasters,154 Halifax’s and 17 Mosquito’s)
from Bomber Command that attacked the city. destroying or damaging
617 houses and 14 public buildings with most of the bombs falling in
the dock ,factory areas and railway sidings and lines serving the
docks. The Bauerund Schaurte factory was also badly hit. Including
the raids on the same night on the Dortmund-Ems canal, Munster and
diversionary attacks, 22 of the 923 aircraft that took part in these
operations didn’t return and approximately 150 young airmen were
lost. Lancaster I NN711 was delivered to 576 Squadron on August 29th
1944 and when lost had a total of 51 hours.
|
|
|
Stanley's
grave. |
The crew rest in Reichswald
Forest War Cemetery. Flight Sergeant McIntyre is remembered on the
Wynnum Central, Queensland roll of honour.
 |
|
Reichswald
Forest War Cemetery
|
