Walenn, Gilbert William
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | Gilbert William |
Surname | Walenn |
Gender | M |
Age | 28 |
Decorations | Twice MiD |
Date of Death | 29-03-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Gilbert and Aida Walenn, of Hampstead Garden Suburb, Middlesex. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington lc |
Serial Number | N2805 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Poland |
Burial/Memorial Place | Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 9. A. |
Epitaph | IN PROUD MEMORY OF OUR GALLANT AND BELOVED SON |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 110 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 73022 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 92 |
Squadron | 25 OTU |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
One of the Great Escapers. Died 29/3/44 |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/9002 (P362196/41) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 10-09-1941 |
End Date | 10-09-1941 |
Takeoff Station | Finningley |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Bombing Training |
Reason for Loss | Aircraft took off from Finningley at 19.55 hrs on the evening of 10th September 1941 for a Night Bombing Detail over the Misson ranges, dropped two bombs the second one at 2043 hrs. At 22.01 hrs Finningley responded to a QDM request from this aircraft, after which nothing further was heard. Well over seven hours later (05.31 hrs has been quoted) the Wellington was hit by Flak and abandoned and left to crash in Rotterdam's Ijssel-haven. Became a POW and on or about the 29th March 1944 was executed by the Gestapo for his part in the Great Escape from Sagan |