Prunkle, Robert
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Robert |
Surname | Prunkle |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 04-12-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Prunkle and Martha Prunkle (née Schmidt), of Irvine, Alberta, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | ND932 |
Markings | PG-U |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Durnbach War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 4. F. 15-19. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 87 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/202987 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 619 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to old Main Gate, off B1373, Strubby Airfield, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Pillar |
Memorial Text | In commemoration of all who served at RAF Strubby from 144, 227, 280, 404 and 619 Squadrons & RAF College of Air Warfare. 1944 - 1972 |
Location | St. Peter's Church, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | A memorial to all those who served with 619 Sqn during WW2 |
Miscellaneous Information
Robert was born on 22 February 1922 at Irvine, Alberta. His father was a farmer born in Austria-Hungary and his mother, deceased, was born in Minnesota, USA. He had a step mother Anna. He had one brother George Albert and a half brother Kenneth. George was a Private in the Loyal Edmonton Regt. He went to Wood’s Home School (private), 1924-1935 and also to Bow Island High School. He didn’t Indulge in a lot of sport but did occasionally play tennis or softball. Because he was still mostly at school, Robert mainly helped out with general farm work including on his father’s farm. |
He enlisted on 10 December 1942 and after training was posted to the U.K. and he embarked from Halifax on 24 November 1943. After arrival at 3PRC on 2 December 1943 he was posted to 14 OTU on 28 December 1943, 51 Base on 22 March 1944and 619 Squadron on 30 June 1944. It was from there that Robert sadly lost his life on 4 December 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2137/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2131/37 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 04-12-1944 |
End Date | 05-12-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Strubby |
Day/Night Raid | Night (74% moon) |
Operation | Heilbronn |
Reason for Loss | Aircraft shot down by Oblt. Peter Spoden. Crashed near Unterriexingen, 25 km SSW of Heilbronn. |