Blackford, Leonard Douglas
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Leonard Douglas |
Surname | Blackford |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 23-03-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alfred William and Lilian Blackford, of Denholme Clough, Yorkshire. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster II |
Serial Number | LL703 |
Markings | JI-L |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Chadwell Heath Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. F. Grave 1314. |
Epitaph | KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE. NOT GONE FROM MEMORY NOT GONE FROM LOVE |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 131 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 543703 |
Service | Royal Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 514 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of St. John the Evangelist, Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial and RoH |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour and memorial to the members of 514 Sqn who served at RAF Waterbeach 1943-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Combat Report: F/S BW Windsor in LL703, JI-L: At 2205 hours and without warning from the oral Monica, Engineer suddenly saw trace coming over the ‘glasshouse’ from dead astern and the Rear Gunner was heard to order the Pilot to dive. During the dive, which became uncontrolled (due to damage caused to elevators by E/A fire) a very long burst of fire was heard from the rear turret, but it transpired that both Gunners must have been killed instantaneously by E/A burst of fire and presumably the Rear Gunners grip was still on the controls. The Pilot with the assistance of the Engineer resumed control of the aircraft, but meanwhile the Bomb Aimer and Navigator had ‘Bailed Out’ on Captains orders. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1979/13 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1977/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 22-03-1944 |
End Date | 23-03-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Waterbeach |
Day/Night Raid | Night (3% moon) |
Operation | Frankfurt |
Reason for Loss | Killed as a result of a night-fighter attack from astern. Sgt Blackford, the rear gunner, was also killed by enemy fire. The bomb aimer and navigator bailed out on captain's orders. Bombs jettisoned. The aircraft otherwise made a safe return to Mildenhall. |