Boyer, Gilbert Davies
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Gilbert Davies |
Surname | Boyer |
Gender | M |
Age | 26 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-04-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Samuel David Boyer and Caroline J. Boyer (née Bowyer), of Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. Husband of Enid May Boyer (née George), whom he married on 16 November 1941. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | JB866 |
Markings | EQ-T |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Uden War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 4. F. 7. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 134 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/90535 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 408 (Goose) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roman Rd, Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brass plaque set into a stone plinth into which is carved with the Canadian maple leaf and the Yorkshire rose. |
Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945; 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose |
Location | Opposite old Main Guardroom, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In commemoration of those men and women of many nations who served at RAF Leeming during the second world war. |
Location | Village Centre, Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial and inscribed slate tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of 408 (Goose) and 426 (Thunderbird) Squadrons of R.C.A.F |
Miscellaneous Information
Gilbert was born at Bracebridge, Ontario on 25 June 1916. His father (a Stonemason and Cutter), was born at Bracebridge as was his mother. The schools he attended were in Bracebridge, 1922-1930 and then 1930-1934. He enjoyed playing rugby and all field sports, and his hobby was photography. Gilbert worked for Manor Gold Mines at Boston Creek, Ontario as a truck driver/ sampler 1935-1938. He then went to Monument Works, Haileybury as. a Cutter/Salesman between 1938 and 1940 and finally was at Northern Ontario Light & Power, New Liskeard, Ontario as a lineman and truck driver, until enlisting on 9 February 1941. |
After training, Gilbert was posted to the U.K. and arrived at 3PRC on 26 December 1941. He then continued to 1 S S 20 January 1942, 3 AOS 28 March 1942, 14 OTU 19 May 1942 and 408 Squadron 8 September 1942. Sadly, Gilbert was then to lose his life on 3 April 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1797/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1797/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-04-1943 |
End Date | 04-04-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
Operation | Essen. 348 aircraft, 21 losses (6.0%). The weather was uncertain so PFF had a plan to mark either using sky or ground markers. In the event the conditions were clear but both kinds of marking were used, causing confusion amongst the main force. Nevertheless, bombing was accurate, making this the most successful attack on Essen so far. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed SE of Rhenen, Holland |