Farrell, William Robert
Personal Information
Rank | WO2 |
Forename(s) | William Robert |
Surname | Farrell |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 04-12-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Joseph Farrell and Amy Irene Farrell (née Low), of Toronto, Ontario. Husband of Marjorie Alice Farrell (née Palmer)- marriage Toronto, 28 February 1942. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | DT730 |
Markings | KN-B |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Becklingen War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 12. E. 1A. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 162 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/112769 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 77 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Holy Trinity Church, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | Memorial windows and Roll of Honour for 77 Sqn. R.A.F. |
Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Marble Column with Metal Sculpture and Plaques |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 77 Sqn. R.A.F. City of Lancaster's own |
Miscellaneous Information
William was born in Toronto on 25 December 1920. His mother was born in Ottawa and his father, a Royal Mail clerk was born in Toronto. He had one sister, Dorothy Lilian Mae. He attended Humewood Public School 1925-1935 and Vaughan Collegiate Institute between 1935-1939 attaining High School Entrance and Junior Matric. William enjoyed most sports including baseball, hockey, swimming and football. He worked at International Stock Foods for a few months from September 1938-February 1940 and then went to the International Nickel Co. from February 1940 until January 1941. |
William enlisted on 3 July 1941 and after training embarked from Canada on 28 October 1942, arriving at 3PRC on 6 November 1942. He then went to 24 OTU 13 December 1942, 1658 CU 20 April 1943 and 77 Squadron 20 May 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/656/43 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/656/42 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-12-1943 |
End Date | 04-12-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Elvington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (45% moon) |
Operation | Leipzig. 527 aircraft. By way of a diversion, the main force took a direct route toward Berlin and then turned off for Leipzig, by which time German fighters were already amongst them and scoring successes. Fortunately many were called back to Berlin once the Mosquito diversionary raid began. as a result only three bombers were thought to have been Lost in the target area. Some aircraft flew off course and ended up in the heavily defended Frankfurt area and most of the losses sustained this night were amongst them. PFF marking was accurate and the resultant bombing was effective. The former World Fair exhibition buildings were hit, some of which had been converted into a Junkers aircraft factory. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed at Cloppenburg, Holland |