Blackband, Norman Charles
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Norman Charles |
Surname | Blackband |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Decorations | AFC |
Date of Death | 18-11-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Edwin and Hannah Ellen Blackband, of Birmingham. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | PB197 |
Markings | TL-P |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Oscott College Cemetery, Birmingham |
Grave Reference | Sec. A. Grave 1030. |
Epitaph | JESUS, MERCY; MARY, HELP. OF YOUR CHARITY PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF HIS SOUL |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 131 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 170204 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 35 (Madras Presidency) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Roadside Location, Graveley, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | Graveley Airfield 1942-1945 8 Group Bomber Command 35 Squadron Pathfinder Force 692 Squadron Light Night Striking Force R.A.F. To commemorate this airfield in honour of those who served the nation aircrew, groundstaff & WAFF of United Kingdom Dominions, C |
Location | All Saints Church, Offord Cluny, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window, Sqn Badge & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | Remember before God all those airmen and airwomen 3who served with 35 Squadron R.A.F. Graveley 1939-1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/381/22 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/381/21 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 18-11-1944 |
End Date | 19-11-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Graveley |
Day/Night Raid | Night (10% moon) |
Operation | Wanne-Eickel synthetic oil plant. 309 aircraft from 1 and 8 Groups. 1 Lancaster lost. Reconnaissance after the raid showed further damage to the plant. The local coal mine, which was not an intentional target was also completely destroyed and 57 people killed |
Reason for Loss | On return to base, overshot on the first approach and then attempted to go around again but crashed into woods near Croxton, west of Cambridge |