Clarke, Robert Mayo
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | Robert Mayo |
Surname | Clarke |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | DFC |
Date of Death | 07-01-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of Raymond Arthur and Marjorie Cecil Clarke, of Roelands, Western Australia. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | PB173 |
Markings | F2-C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 282. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 145 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 427294 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 635 |
Squadron Motto | Nos ducimus ceteri secunter (We lead, others follow) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Australia |
Miscellaneous Information
The Germans buried six bodies (out of 14 from the two aircraft, which crashed close together) in a communal grave at Germering and the British authorities could only individually identify five of them. |
DFC Citation: “Acting Flight Lieutenant Clarke, as pilot, has completed numerous operations against the enemy, in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.” |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2155/22 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2155/21 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 07-01-1945 |
End Date | 08-01-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Downham Market |
Day/Night Raid | Night (36% moon) |
Operation | München. 654 aircraft, 15 losses. According the Bomber Command itself, this was a successful raid with the central and industrial areas being severely damaged. The last major raid on München |
Reason for Loss | Thought to have collided with a 405 Sqn Lancaster (PB229 LQ-X). A 1948 report based on an inspection of German documents and investigations carried out at the Germering Cemetery, confirmed that the aircraft crashed at Unterphaffenhofen on 7 January 1945. The report adds that the aircraft exploded in the air and that the remains of only 2 members of the crew, Pilot Officer Wiggins and Flight Sergeant Watson were recovered. |