Durning, Joseph Hermile
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Joseph Hermile |
Surname | Durning |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 28-12-1941 |
Next of Kin | Son of Francois Zoel Durning and Eugenie Durning (née Quellet), of Québec, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V |
Serial Number | Z9202 |
Markings | MH-P |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 61. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 158 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/55446 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 51 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Hall, Pollington, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque on external wall |
Memorial Text | 51 Sqn RAF Snaith Oct 1942 - Apr 1945 |
Location | St. John the Baptist Church, Pollington, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Sqn Crest & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | 51 Sqn Roll of Honour |
Location | RAF Snaith Memorial Gardens, Pollington, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Monument, Multiple Inscribed Metal Plaques, Propeller Unit |
Memorial Text | In memory of the 687 airmen of 51 Sqn, 4 Gp, Bomber Command who lost their lives flying Halifax bombers Mks 2 and 3 at RAF Snaith between October 1942 and April 1945 |
Location | Stn Church, RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Roll of Honour in Wooden Case |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour of 51 Sqn |
Location | Grounds of Selby Abbey, Selby, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | 51 Sqn RAF. In proud and undying memory of all ranks killed or missing 1939 - 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Joseph was born on 30 March 1917 at Val Brillant, Quebec. Both parents were deceased when he enlisted and both had been born in Quebec. He had a sister Gracia in Montreal and his next of kin shown as his brother Georges R. Durning of Ste. Matane. P.Q. He attended Val Brillant school 1924-1931/2 (preliminary). He also took a Civil Service course at Aberville 1932-1934. Joseph also worked as a teacher at Aberville between 1935 - 1938 but left as he didn’t like the religious life. He then worked for Alfred Mercier, a horse trader, as a clerk/book keeper during 1940 until enlisting on 14 August 1940. His sport interests were hockey and baseball. |
When his training was finished he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Canada on 26 July 1941 arriving at 3PRC on 16 August. He was then at 10 OTU on 3 September 1941 and 51 Squadron on 3 November 1941. Sadly Joseph lost his life the following month on 28 December 1941. |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/11235 (P364974/41) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/491/54 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/491/53 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 28-12-1941 |
End Date | 29-12-1941 |
Takeoff Station | Dishforth |
Day/Night Raid | Night (82% moon) |
Operation | Emden |
Reason for Loss | Believed to have been shot down by a night-fighter off the Dutch coast |