Durkin, James Patrick
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | James Patrick |
Surname | Durkin |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-11-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Patrick Durkin and Catherine Durkin (née Gainley), of Humber Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | MZ896 |
Markings | QB-Q |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 250. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 158 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/88078 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 424 (Tiger) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Skipton on Swale, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone, inscribed Metal Plaque & Maple Tree |
Memorial Text | A memorial to the Canadian personnel who served at RAF Skipton on Swale during WW2, including 424 Sqn RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
James was born at Humber Bay, Ontario on 22 March 1923. Both parents were born in England, his father in Darwen who was a stockkeeper and his mother in Burnley both in Lancashire. He had two brothers, John and William and a sister Kathleen. His schooling was at St. Lee’s Separate School Mimico 1929-1935 (general), De La Salle Toronto 1935-1937 (Matric ), St. Michael’s College 1937-1938 (Matric), Mimico High School 1938-1939 and Runnymede Collegiate night School 1939-1940. His sport interests were hockey, baseball, and swimming. James worked as a machine operator at the Steel Co, of Canada between 1939-1942 when he enlisted on 15 October 1942. |
He embarked for the U.K. on 13 September 1943 and arrived at 3PRC on 20 September before continuing to 24 OTU 28 September 1943, 1664 CU 14 December 1943, 61 Base 17 January 1944 and 424 Squadron on 26 January 1944. Sadly, James lost his life from 424 Squadron on 5 November 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1835/20 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1835/19 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 04-11-1944 |
End Date | 05-11-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Skipton on Swale |
Day/Night Raid | Night (77% moon) |
Operation | Bochum. 749 aircraft, 28 losses (3.7%), mainly due to night-fighters. 346 Free French Squadron lost 5 out of its 16 Halifaxes. A very successful attack with severe damage to the centre of Bochum. More than 4000 buildings were destroyed, including the steel works. 994 people were killed. This was the last major raid on Bochum |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace with crew of seven. Possibly collided with Halifax ME835 AS-T of 166 Squadron as they approached the Dutch coast. A collision and explosion was witnessed by F/L Joseph B. Herman RAAF of 466 Squadron and described on page 166 of "Raider- the Halifax and its Flyers". Although the two aircraft were not identified at the time, there were only two aircraft lost on this attack not otherwise accounted for so it is highly likely that this accounts for the disappearance of both aircraft. The position of the collision is thought to be between The Hook of Holland and the small village of Ter Heijde. F/L Herman was unable to report his sighting to the authorities at the time since his own aircraft was shown down during this operation and he became a PoW. F/L Herman's survival in itself is a miracle since he was blown clear of the aircraft before he had chance to clip on his parachute and free fell 12,000 feet before miraculously finding the foot of his mid-upper gunner and hanging on. Both landed heavily but survived. |