Grindley, William Edward
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | William Edward |
Surname | Grindley |
Gender | M |
Age | 29 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 04-09-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Edward William Grindley and Ethel Grindley (née Bray), of Westmount, Province of Québec, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | JA914 |
Markings | DX-O |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 175. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 43 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/18200 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 57 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Sculptures, Inscribed Memeorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In memory of those who gave their lives with 57 and 630 Squadrons 1939 - 1945 |
Location | Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stenciled 57 Sqn RoH in site Chapel |
Memorial Text | In proud memory of the men of No. 57 Squadron who lost their lives operating from Royal Air Force East Kirkby 1943 to 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
William was born at Westmount, Quebec on 28 November 1913. His father was a Druggist who was born in Dublin, Ireland and his mother was born in Weston, Ontario. He had two sisters, Ethel Margaret and Clara Jessy. He attended Argyle School, 1920-1926 (Public), then Westmount High school 1926-1930. He was at McGill University 1930-1934 where he gained a B.C. Degree and again in 1936-1937 for his Finals in Accounting and Auditing. The sports he enjoyed were basketball, baseball, tennis and a little swimming. William worked for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. in Montreal where he was an Accountant and Auditor from 1934 until he enlisted on 21 February 1941. |
His papers show him at 14(P) AFU on 6 March 1943, 16 OTU 20 April 1943, 1661 CU. On 6 July 1943 and 57 Squadron on 13 August 1943. Sadly he was to lose his life just three weeks later, on 4 September 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/538/40 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/538/39 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-09-1943 |
End Date | 04-09-1943 |
Takeoff Station | East Kirkby |
Day/Night Raid | Night (16% moon) |
Operation | Berlin |
Reason for Loss | Aircraft was shot down to the South of Berlin and crashed into the Wünsdorfer See - reputedly claimed by Uffz Fritz Brinkmann of JG300. |