Hatchwell, James Gaston
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | James Gaston |
Surname | Hatchwell |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 21-12-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Norman G. and Jeanne Hatchwell, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax V |
Serial Number | LK644 |
Markings | ZL-C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Hanover War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 4. C. 13-19. |
Epitaph | IN EVERLASTING MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED SON AND BROTHER. MOTHER, DAD AND BOB |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 178 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/21631 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 427 (Lion) |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roman Rd, Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brass plaque set into a stone plinth into which is carved with the Canadian maple leaf and the Yorkshire rose. |
Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945; 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose |
Location | Opposite old Main Guardroom, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In commemoration of those men and women of many nations who served at RAF Leeming during the second world war. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1845/28 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1845/27 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 20-12-1943 |
End Date | 21-12-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Night (39% moon) |
Operation | Frankfurt. 650 aircraft, 41 losses (6.3%). The German controllers were able to accurately plot the route as soon as the main force left the English coast and were therefore able to deploy night-fighters at many points along its route. A diversionary raid on Mannheim failed to draw off many fighters until the main raid was over. The target was mainly cloud covered whereas the forecast had predicted clear conditions. Marking did not, therefore, go to plan. The Germans used both decoy fires and also decoy target indicator. By a twist of good fortune, considerable creepback resulted in the bombing coming back over the city. Many public and municipal buildings were hit including many schools. 23000 people were bombed out of their homes. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter flown by Hptm. Martin Becker and crashed at Weilmünster/Hessen. |