Dawson, Gordon Forbes
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Gordon Forbes |
Surname | Dawson |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-11-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Thomas James Dawson and Isobel Caroline Dawson (née Forbes), of Cookstown, Ontario, Canada. Husband of Gwendoline Doris Dawson (née Joiner). Marriage 5 August 1944 at Worminghall, Buckinghamshire, England. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | HK595 |
Markings | KO-A |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 4. B. 1. |
Epitaph | TILL MEMORY FADES AND LIFE DEPARTS YOU LIVE FOR EVER IN OUR HEARTS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 154 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/89896 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 115 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Lancaster Industrial Estate, Witchford, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Pillar with inscribed Slate Tablets & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In honour of those who served during the Second World War 1939 - 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Gordon was born at Cookstown, Ontario on 6 June 1922. Both parents were born at Orangeville, Ontario and his father worked as a druggist. He had three brothers, Grant, Alan and Douglas. Sadly, his brother J/90321 P/O Douglas James Dawson lost his life from 115 Squadron on 17 September 1944- see http://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/207038. The schools Gordon attended were Cookstown Public 1929-1935 and Cookstown Continuation 1935-1939. He involved himself in a lot of sporting activities including rugby, hockey, basketball, baseball, boxing etc.and athletics and track and field. Gordon worked as a welder for Canadian General Electric 1940-1941. |
He enlisted on 14 July 1941 and after training embarked for the U.K. He arrived at 3PRC on 12 June 1942, at 115 Sqn 17 January 1943, 11 OTU 4 October 1943, and eventually at 115 Squadron on 5 October 1944. It was from here that Gordon sadly lost his life on 15 November 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/892/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/892/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-11-1944 |
End Date | 15-11-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Witchford |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Dortmund- to attack the oil plant. 177 Lancasters, all from 3 Group, 2 of which were lost. G-H was used since the target was cloud-covered. The raid is thought to have been a success. |
Reason for Loss | Collided in mid-air with NN706, also from 115 Squadron, killing all of the crew in both aircraft. This aircraft unuslly had a crew of nine. A second pilot and third air gunner were included, the latter operating the mid-under gun. |