Filmer, Jasper Maytum Watson Died
Personal Information
| Rank | F/O |
| Forename(s) | Jasper Maytum Watson |
| Surname | Filmer |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 28 |
| Date of Death | 15-02-1944 |
| Next of Kin | Son of George M. Filmer and Rose Ellen Filmer (née Carbert), of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. His Father Died On Service In The First World War. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
| Serial Number | HX155 |
| Markings | DY-Q |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
| Grave Reference | Panel 246. |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 2 |
| Panel Number | 163 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | J/14184 |
| Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Group | 4 |
| Squadron | 102 (Ceylon) |
| Squadron Motto | Tenate et perficite (Attempt and achieve) |
| Trade | Air Gunner |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
| Location | St. Catherine's Church Barmby Moor, East Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Roll of Honour in wall mounted wooden case, Sqn Badge above |
| Memorial Text | 102 (Ceylon) Sqn Roll of Honour and Sqn badge |
| Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Memorial Gardens, Propeller, Inscribed Marble Tablets |
| Memorial Text | In everlasting homage to the courage of those who have found their winged victory through the skies of Yorkshire |
| Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Propeller Unit & Inscribed Marble Tablets |
| Memorial Text | They made the supreme sacrifice so that you & I may go in peace with freedom. 4 Group 1939 - 1945. |
| Location | Heslington Hall, York, North Yorkshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
| Memorial Text | Heslington Hall 1941 - 1945, 4 Gp Headquarters Bomber Command. In remembrance of those Air & Ground personnel who made the supreme sacrifice that we all may walk in peace with freedom |
Miscellaneous Information
| Born 21 September 1915, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Known as Joe |
| He was an insurance adjuster before enlisting. |
| There is some doubt about the spelling of his second given name. His attestation papers, completed in his own hand, state Mayton, whereas many other documents in his personnel file state Maytum. His mother's line does contain instances of the Maytum surname, which seems to be a regionalised surname occurring mainly in Kent, the ancestral home of both parents. This has therefore been taken as being correct. |
The National Archives
| Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/810/4 |
| Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/810/4 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
| Name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Downs J A (P/O) | Died |
| Johnson W F (F/S) | Died |
| Kularatne A (P/O) | Died |
| Manser W M M (P/O) | Died |
| Sherlock K W (P/O) | Died |
| Stapleton A J (P/O) | Died |
| Whitaker R (Sgt) | Died |
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 15-02-1944 |
| End Date | 16-02-1944 |
| Takeoff Station | Pocklington |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (63% moon) |
| Operation | Berlin. 891 aircraft- the largest raid on Berlin and in fact the largest 'non-1000' raid of the war. The bomb tonnage dropped was also a record at 2642 tons. 43 aircraft losses (4.8%). The bomber stream was tracked by the German controllers as soon as it left the English coast but a swing to the north over Denmark for the approach was effective as it was out of the range of many fighters. The controller ordered that Berlin be kept free of fighters to allow the flak batteries the full range of altitudes but many ignored the order and attacked bombers over the target. Berlin was cloud covered but the bombing was reasonably concentrated, although some bombs fell on outlying towns and villages. Damage was extensive with over 1000 houses and 526 temporary accommodation barracks destroyed. Some of the most important war industries were hit and 320 people were killed. The relatively low death toll is a reflection of the fact that large-scale evacuations had taken place by now. |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Lost over the target area |