Fansher, Harry Frederick Died
Personal Information
| Rank | P/O |
| Forename(s) | Harry Frederick |
| Surname | Fansher |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 26 |
| Date of Death | 18-01-1943 |
| Next of Kin | Son of William Russell Fansher and Mary Alice Fansher (née Osborne), of Govan, Saskatchewan. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
| Serial Number | ED388 |
| Markings | PH-Y |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
| Grave Reference | Panel 175. |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 1 |
| Panel Number | 34 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | J/16216 |
| Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Group | 1 |
| Squadron | 12 |
| Squadron Motto | Leads the field |
| Trade | Pilot |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
| Location | Fansher Lake, Saskatchewan |
| Country | Canada |
| Memorial Type | Lake |
| Memorial Text |
| Location | Wickenby Airfield, Wickenby, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial with Sculpture of Icarus & Information Board |
| Memorial Text | Royal Air Force Wickenby No1 Group Bomber Command 1942-1945 In memory of one thousand and eighty men of 12 & 626 Squadrons who gave their lives on operations from this airfieldin the offensive against Germany and the liberation of occupied Europe Per ardua ad astra This memorial commemorates the 1080 aircrew killed on operations with Nos 12(B) and 626 Squadrons whilst based at Royal Air Force Wickenby 1942-1945. The design and Building of the memorial in 1981 was funded by subscription from members of the Wickenby register. |
| Location | In front of the mess esplanade, Mailly-le-Camp, 10 - Aube Prefecture |
| Country | France |
| Memorial Type | Stone memorial sculpture, inscribed marble tablets and inscribed metal plaque |
| Memorial Text |
En souvenir des heros de la RAF. Qui ont participe au bombardment du camp de Mailly. Unites de la RAF engagees dans le raid sur Mailly-le-Camp, la nuit du 3 au 4 May 1944. N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617- 619-625-626-627-631
Translation "In memory of the RAF heroes who took part in the bombing of Mailly Camp. RAF units engaged in the raid on Mailly-le-Camp, the night of 3-4 May 1944. Squadrons that took part: N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617-619-625-626-627-631" |
Miscellaneous Information
| Harry was born in Govan, Saskatchewan on 13 October 1916. Both parents were born in Florence, Ontario and his father was a farmer. Harry had four sisters and two brothers, Osborne and William. He attended Constance Public School 1923-1931(Grade 8) and Govan High School 1935-1937, ( part 12 plus grade 11.) He took training in a correspondence course for grades 9 and 10). His hobby was carpentry and he enjoyed baseball and a little hockey. He spent two short spells working as a carpenter but then went in to farming with his father 1937- 1941. |
| Harry enlisted on 26 February 1941 and embarked for the U.K. after initial training on 8 January 1942. Arriving at 3 PRC on 24 January 1942 he then went through 3 SFTS 16 February 1942, 26 OTU 5 May 1942 and 12 Squadron 15 August 1942. |
| Fansher Lake in Saskatchewan was named in his honour. |
The National Archives
| Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/167/2 |
| Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/167/2 |
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.
| Name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Butler K F (P/O) | Died |
| Cadden E (Sgt) | Died |
| Fallis J (P/O) | Died |
| Marsh F C (F/S) | Died |
| Poole R F (Sgt) | Died |
| Smith W J (Sgt) | Died |
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 17-01-1943 |
| End Date | 18-01-1943 |
| Takeoff Station | Wickenby |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (90% moon) |
| Operation | Berlin |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Crashed at Neumunster, seven killed |