Frank, Ralph
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Ralph |
Surname | Frank |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 30-03-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Max Frank and Esther Frank (née Yaretski), of Market Street, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | W4175 |
Markings | OF-U |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Nottingham (Wilford Hill) Jewish Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Grave 38. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 37 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/84415 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 97 (Straits Settlements) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | A153 Roadbridge over River Bain, Tattershall, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of the crew of Lancaster WF 4175, 97 Sqn who were killed when the aircraft crashed on Conningsby gasworks on 30th March 1943 returning from Ops to Berlin |
Location | Thorpe Camp, Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial with Inscribed Lettering and Sqn Badges |
Memorial Text | A memorial to those who flew from RAF Woodhall Spa during WW2, including 619 Sqn |
Location | Church of the Holy Spirit, RAF Coningsby, Coningsby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window |
Memorial Text | A stained glass window remembering 97 Sqn in the Church of the Holy Spirit, RAF Coningsby |
Miscellaneous Information
Born 20 July 1920, Hamilton. His father was a Canadian Jew, his mother was born in Leeds. Ralph played the Trumpet in several dance bands. He played Hockey, Rugby & Lacrosse. He had flown with F/SGT DONALD PLAUNT for 10 operations but was hospitalised fror four days on return from Munich on 10 March 1943. This was his only Op with this crew. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/767/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/767/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-03-1943 |
End Date | 30-03-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Woodhall Spa |
Day/Night Raid | Night (40% moon) |
Operation | Berlin |
Reason for Loss | Returned from raid and crashed in Coningsby village whilst in the circuit for Woodhall Spa |