Austin, Charles Wendell
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Charles Wendell |
Surname | Austin |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-10-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Harold Charles Austin and Frances M. Austin (née Hughson), of Chaffey’s Locks, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington III |
Serial Number | BJ646 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Row D. Grave 4. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 125 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/82683 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 156 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary Magdalene Church, Warboys, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Inscribed Slate Tablet |
Memorial Text | We light the way" This tablet is placed in memory of Flight Lieutenant JL Sloper DFC and Bar, RAFVR. And in tribute to all who served with 156 Squadron Path Finders Force at RAF Warboys, 1942-1945, In gratitude. |
Location | Tithe Farm, Warboys, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Pillars and inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | From this RAF Station Warboys 156 squadrons No 8 (PFF) group, marked targets for Bomber Command 1942-1944 |
Miscellaneous Information
The four other crew members who bailed out became PoW (P/O T E Trotman, P/O F Purvis, P/O W Douglas and Sgt V P Youdell) |
The pilot, F/L D R Greenup was unharmed |
Charles was born on 27 January 1922 at Chaffey’s Locks, Ontario. His father was a farmer who was born at Carbondale, Pennsylvania, USA and his mother was born at Elgin, Ontario. The schools he attended were Lake Opinicon 1930-1937 (High School Entrance), and Elgin Continuation 1938-1940 (Matric). The sports he played were softball, tennis and skating and he loved to play the guitar and mouth organ. From 1940 until enlistment he worked for his father on the farm and was a handyman at summer camp. Charles enlisted on 24 January 1941 and after training was sent to the U.K. After arrival at 3 PRC he went on to 7 AGS 7 February 1942, 22 OTU 24 March 1942 and 156 Squadron on 16 June 1942 from hwre he lost his life on 5 October 1942 at the age of twenty. It is said that his mother died of heart break after the death of her son. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 05-10-1942 |
End Date | 06-10-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Warboys |
Day/Night Raid | Night (18% moon) |
Operation | Aachen |
Reason for Loss | Severe electrical storms encountered over England and the Channel and aircraft was struck by lightning over English Coast at 2045 hrs. Port engine stopped, flares jettisoned and course set for base but aircraft could not maintain height. Approaching French Coast at 4500 ft aircraft was engaged by intense and accurate flak. Immediately lost more height and crew bailed out, but captain found he could maintain height and flew back and belly landed at Manston. |