Baxter, Leonard Earl
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Leonard Earl |
Surname | Baxter |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 21-03-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of George Leslie Baxter and Olive Mary Baxter (née Carter), of Goderich, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | PA259 |
Markings | 9J-Z |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 14. L. 12. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 7 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/95240 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 227 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Miscellaneous Information
Leonard was born on 31 March 1924 at Goderich, Ontario. His father was born at Colborne Township, Ontario and worked as a carpenter and his wife was born in Goderich. He had three brothers: John, Donald and Lloyd as well as a sister Dorothy. The schools he attended were Central Public 1930-1938 followed by Goderich Collegiate 1939 -1941. Leonard worked for his father as a carpenter from June 1941-1942. The family lived in Goderich. |
On 19 November 1942 he enlisted and after training was posted to the U.K. He embarked from Halifax on 5 March 1944 then passed through 3 (RCAF) PRC on 15 March 1944. He then arrived at 17 OTU 21 March 1944, 51 Base 4 September 1944, 5 LFS 6 November 1944, and finally 227 Squadron 8 December 1944. Sadly Leonard was to lose his life the following year on 21 March 1945. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1410/26 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1410/25 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 20-03-1945 |
End Date | 21-03-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Balderton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (52% moon) |
Operation | Bohlen |
Reason for Loss | Attacked by a night fighter at 15,000 feet and broke up in the air, crashing at Eschwege, a town at the very centre of Germany |