Toombs, John Blackstock
Personal Information
Rank | W/O |
Forename(s) | John Blackstock |
Surname | Toombs |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 26-11-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Charles Tupper Toombs and Sarah Jane Toombs (née Blackstock), of Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | DV297 |
Markings | QR-O |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 7. B. 15. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 108 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/130140 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 61 |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Birchwood Way, Birchwood Estate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Memorial & Inscribed Marble Obolisk |
Memorial Text | To the memory of the Air Crews and Ground Staff who gave their lives whilst serving with No 50 Squadron and No 61 Squadron, 5 group, Bomber Command The Royal Air Force 2nd World War 1939 to 1945. No 50 Squadron "From defence to attack" Operated from Waddi |
Location | Memorial Gardens, Skellingthorpe, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Memorial with Inscribed Marble Stone |
Memorial Text | Royal Air Force Skellingthorpe. My brief sweet life is over, My eyes no longer see, No Christmas Trees, No summer walks, No pretty girls for me, I've got the chop - I've had it, My nightly ops are done, Yet in another 100 years I'll still be twenty one. R |
Miscellaneous Information
John was born at Sault St. Marie, Ontario on 19 November 1922. His father was born in Michigan, USA and worked as a clerk for Algoma Central Railroad and his mother was born at Ophir, Ontario. He had a sister Jane. He attended Central Public school 1929-1935 and the Collegiate Institute 1935-1940 (Jnr. Matric); both in Sault St. Marie. He spent two years in the High School Cadets.His sport interests were hockey, boxing and basketball. John worked as a machinists apprentice at Algoma Central Rail Road during 1941. |
On 8 October 1941, John enlisted and after training embarked for the U.K. arriving on 5 November, 1942. From 3PRC he went to 10(0)AFU 14 December 1942, 14 OTU on 2 February 1943, 1654 CU 8 May 1943 and 61 Squadron on 19 June 1943. John sadly lost his life on 26 November 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/578/22 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/578/21 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 26-11-1943 |
End Date | 27-11-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Skellingthorpe |
Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
Operation | Berlin |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace. |