Crane, Thomas
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Thomas |
Surname | Crane |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Date of Death | 28-07-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Thomas and Maud Crane, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | LM462 |
Markings | SR-V2 |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Rebrechien Communal Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave. |
Epitaph | LOVING MEMORIES WE SHALL ALWAYS KEEP. FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHERS AND SISTERS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 24 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1532034 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 101 |
Squadron Motto | Mens afitat molem (Mind over matter) |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary & St. Peter's Church, Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Sqn Standard & Roll of Honour in wooden bookcase |
Memorial Text | In memory of 101 Squadron 1943-45 based at RAF Ludford Magna |
Location | Village Centre, Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Pillar & Brass plaque on adjacent bench |
Memorial Text | In memory of 101 Squadron 1943-45 based at RAF Ludford Magna |
Location | The White Hart PH, Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal on external wall of PH |
Memorial Text | In memory of the men and women of 101 Squadron 1943-45 |
Location | The National Aboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Monument |
Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to all those who served on 101 Squadron, and honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will remember you. |
Miscellaneous Information
Thomas was born on 8th July 1922 in Cookstown, Ireland. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/803/14 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/803/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 28-07-1944 |
End Date | 29-07-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Ludford Magna |
Day/Night Raid | Night (56% moon) |
Operation | Stuttgart |
Reason for Loss | Crashed in Rebréchien in the La Cour neighbourhood at a place called “Le Mauvais Puits” (the bad well). None of the eight crew members aged between 21 and 30 survived the resulting explosion. Seven were British, one was Canadian. |