Francis, Robert Lewis
Personal Information
Rank | WO2 |
Forename(s) | Robert Lewis |
Surname | Francis |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 23-04-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of James Henry and Anne Jane Francis, of Steveston, British Columbia, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | ND753 |
Markings | KO-K |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 7. E. 4. |
Epitaph | A LOVING SON AND BROTHER. ALWAYS REMEMBERED |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 166 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/162649 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 115 |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Lancaster Industrial Estate, Witchford, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Pillar with inscribed Slate Tablets & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In honour of those who served during the Second World War 1939 - 1945 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/891/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/891/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 22-04-1944 |
End Date | 23-04-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Witchford |
Day/Night Raid | Night (0% moon) |
Operation | Düsseldorf. 596 aircraft, 29 losses (4.9%). 2150 tones of bombs were dropped, causing considerable damage, mainly to the northern districts. 56 large industrial premises were hit, of which 7 were destroyed. More than 2000 homes were destroyed, 883 people killed and 593 injured, although these figures were compiled before all the missing had been dug out. |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak and crashed at Unterrath in the outskirts of Düsseldorf, bursting into flames |