Best, Robert Augusta
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Robert Augusta |
Surname | Best |
Gender | M |
Age | 19 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 09-11-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Edward Best and Dorothy May Best (née Bullard), of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling IV |
Serial Number | LK198 |
Markings | NF-H |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 254. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 130 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/221087 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 38 |
Squadron | 138 (Special Duties) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial with inscribed Marble Tablets |
Memorial Text | In honour of the men and women of Special Duties Sqns stationed at RAF Tempsford |
Location | "The Barn" Gibraltar Farm, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Plaque & Framed Scroll |
Memorial Text | To commemorate the men and women of different nationalities who flew from RAF Tempsford to aid resistance forces in occupied Europe |
Location | St. Peter's Church, Tempsford, Bedfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet, Wooden Boards, Brass Plaques & RoH |
Memorial Text | Remembering all those who flew from RAF Tempsford including those of the Royal Australian Air Force |
Miscellaneous Information
Robert was born on 21 March 1925 at Windsor, Ontario. His father was born in London, England and was an Auto worker and his mother was born at Syracuse, New York. He had brothers William Edward and John Alfred. John was in the Canadian army. The schools he attended were both in Windsor, Assumption 1930-1939 (general) and Windsor Vocational 1939-1941. For sport he played baseball and also enjoyed target shooting. Robert had little work experience and had several short, part time jobs between January and August 1942. He was unemployed for two months, a delivery clerk for two months. a Soda Pop bottler between March-May, unemployed May-July. He then carried out odd jobs for Hewitt Metal Works, July-August 1942 and worked as a machine Operator for Ford Motor Company August 1942-March 1943. |
He enlisted on 9 March 1943. He embarked from Halifax on 14 December 1943 arriving 3PRC 22 December 1943, then on to 28 OTU 18 January 1944, 11 Base 16 May 1944 and 138 Squadron on 23 June 1944. Sadly Robert was to lose his life on 9 November 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 08-11-1944 |
End Date | 09-11-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Tempsford |
Day/Night Raid | Night (38% moon) |
Operation | Special Operations Executive- Operations Puffin 2, to Norway |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace. The pilot of U-Uncle reported that the aircraft may have been struck by lightning |