Gallagher, James Cornelius
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | James Cornelius |
Surname | Gallagher |
Gender | M |
Age | 32 |
Date of Death | 16-09-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of James Quinn Gallagher and Mary Theresa Gallagher (née Fitzpatrick), of Winnipeg, Manitoba. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax VII |
Serial Number | NP719 |
Markings | QO-N |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Denmark |
Burial/Memorial Place | Abrena Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Allied Mil. Plot. Row 5. 5. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 167 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/86981 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 432 (Leaside) |
Squadron Motto | Saeviter ad lucem (Ferociously towards the light) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Gallagher Bay, Manitoba; 10km east of Reindeer Lake |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Bay |
Memorial Text |
Location | N�rreskoven Forest, Als Island, Syddanmark Provincer |
Country | Denmark |
Memorial Type | Inscribed memorial stone |
Memorial Text |
Translation "Handley Page Halifax, NP719 of 432 Sqn RCAF, collided with Halifax MZ915 of 466 Sqn RAAF 16/9/44" |
Location | Village Centre, Sutton on the Forest, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone & Metal Sun Dial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to all those who served at RAF East Moor and in particular 415 Sqn RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
James was born in Winnipeg on 1 August 1912 t. His father, who was deceased by the time of James's enlistment, was born in St. John, New Brunswick and worked in Wholesale Meat Packing and his mother was born in Ontario. They lived in Garfield Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. He had two brothers William P. and John Francis and two married sisters. There were also six married half sisters. James attended the following schools: St.Mary’s, Winnipeg. 1918-1926; St.Paul’s College, 1926-1928; Spartan Air School 1939-1940 (A&E Mechanics) and La Salle Ex University (accountancy). Between 1928-1936, he worked as a Shipper, then 1936-1939 he had various jobs as an office clerk. From 1940 onwards he was working as an airline mechanic. His sporting interests were swimming and tennis. |
James enlisted on 17 August 1942 and after initial training embarked from New York on 8 October 1943. After arriving at 3PRC in Bournemouth on 17 October 1943 he went on to 11 (P) AFU, 30 November 1943, 82 OTU 14 March 1944, 61 Base 6 June 1944, and 432 Squadron 14 July 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/34 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/33 |
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.
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-09-1944 |
End Date | 16-09-1944 |
Takeoff Station | East Moor |
Day/Night Raid | Night (2% moon) |
Operation | Kiel. 490 aircraft, 6 lost. The old town and modern city centre were devastated, although the local report also states that many bombs fell outside the city limits. Despite the damage, the death toll was remarkably low at 12 with a further 28 injuries. |
Reason for Loss | Collided with 466 Squadron Halifax MZ915 and crashed onto Als Island, Denmark |