Farrell, John Miller
Personal Information
Rank | WO2 |
Forename(s) | John Miller |
Surname | Farrell |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Date of Death | 14-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Daniel Howard Farrell and Gladys Farrell (née Miller), of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | JB924 |
Markings | EY-M |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Franekeradeel (Dongjum) Protestant Churchyard |
Grave Reference | Row 1A. Grave 13. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 162 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/103820 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 78 |
Squadron Motto | Nemo non paratus (Nobody unprepared) |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to Clubhouse, Breighton Airfield, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | Dedicated to all who served at this airfield and gave their lives during World War II |
Location | External, All Saints Church, Bubwith, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial, inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | 78 Sqn 4 Group Bomber Command Yorkshire 1939 - 1945 To All Who Served |
Location | Internal, All Saints Church, Bubwith, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Wooden Board, Memorial Chapel featuring Cross made from Halifax wreckage |
Memorial Text | The 78 Sqn Memorial in the Churchyard was dedicated by the Bishop of Selby on 7th September 1986. RAF Breighton, two miles from this church was the Sqn's home from June 1943 to May 1945 |
Location | Outside "B" Hangar, RAF Benson, Oxfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Slate Plaque |
Memorial Text | In proud memory of all who have lost their lives serving with 78 Sqn Royal Air Force "Nemo Non Paratus - Nobody Unprepared" |
Miscellaneous Information
John was born on 8 July 1921 in Saskatoon.His father, who was deceased by the time of John's enlistment, was born in Fitzroy Harbour, his mother born in Carman, Manitoba (divorced). He attended St. Ann’s Academy, Vancouver 1928- 1930. Then, St. Mary’s Boys 1931-1935 and St. Mary Boys High 1936-1939 (Matric). John also studied an accountancy course at Mount Royal College, 1940-1941. For sport John enjoyed swimming and rowing and also bowling. His hobby was stamp collecting. In the summer holidays from school during 1937-1940 John would take on general office duties for Calgary Exhibition Co. Ltd, and was a stock room supply clerk September-December 1939. He also worked as an usher in the Strand Theatre 1939-1941, after school. |
John enlisted on 3 June 1941 and arrived in U.K. at 3PRC on 12 July 1942. He then went to 1 AFU 26 July 1942, 23 OTU. 25 August 1942, 1652 CU 18 February 1943 and 78 Squadron on 30 March 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/660/70 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/660/69 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 13-05-1943 |
End Date | 14-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Linton-on-Ouse |
Day/Night Raid | Night (65% moon) |
Operation | Bochum. 442 aircraft, 24 losses (5.4%). Decoy markers drew much of the bombing away from the target. Little information available from local sources about the extent of the damage. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed NE of Harlingen, Holland |