Connor, Clare Arthur Hovenden
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Clare Arthur Hovenden |
Surname | Connor |
Gender | M |
Age | 26 |
Decorations | DFC |
Date of Death | 04-11-1940 |
Next of Kin | Son of Arthur and Grace Connor. Husband of Betty Cave Connor (Nee Collyer). |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Hampden BI |
Serial Number | L4093 |
Markings | OL-J |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Brattleby (St. Cuthbert) Churchyard |
Grave Reference | |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 22 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 40892 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 83 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Commemorating 83 Sqn Lancaster, one of the Pathfinder Sqn's operating from RAF Wyton 1942 - 1945 |
Location | St. Michaels's Church, Coningsby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Wooden Plaque & 83 Sqn Badge |
Memorial Text | This Chapel was furnished by members and friends of 83 Pathfinder Sqn and is dedicated to the memory of those airmen who lost their lives on flying operations from RAF Coningsby in WWII |
Miscellaneous Information
Clare Connor was the pilot of the aircraft in which Sgt. John Hannah won the Victoria Cross after beating out the flames of a fire with his bare hands |
DFC Citation (London Gazette 8 October 1940). Pilot Officer Clare Arthur Hovendon CONNOR (40892). Pilot Officer Connor was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack enemy barge concentrations at Antwerp one night in September, 1940. His first run over the target was inaccurate and no bombs were dropped. In the second approach, at 2,000 feet, the aircraft was subjected to intense fire from the ground, but the attack was pressed home successfully. During this attack the bomb compartment in the aircraft was shattered and a fire started which quickly spread to the wireless operator's and rear gunner's cockpit. The port mid-wing and the tail boom were damaged. Shell fire pierced the port rear petrol tank causing grave risk of the fire spreading, and the starboard tank was also pierced. The navigator and rear gunner abandoned the aircraft, but the wireless operator air gunner remained and succeeded in controlling, and eventually extinguishing the flames. In spite of the condition of his aircraft and knowing that he had neither a navigator, rear gunner nor normal wireless facilities, Pilot Officer Connor succeeded in flying back to his base and landing without further damage. He displayed the most outstanding coolness, courage and devotion to duty. |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/4097 (P355862/40) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/686/22 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/686/21 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-11-1940 |
End Date | 04-11-1940 |
Takeoff Station | Scampton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (22% moon) |
Operation | Kiel |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak and subsequently crashed off Spurn Point |