Heimbecker, Harry Lyle
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | Harry Lyle |
Surname | Heimbecker |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-03-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Frederick Heimbecker and Susan Emma Heimbecker (née Reddick), of Eckville, Alberta, Canada. Husband of Kathleen Mary Heimbecker (née Sullivan), whom he married on 31 January 1942 at Calgary. She was born at Innisfail, Alberta. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LW690 |
Markings | AL-T |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Choloy War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 2A. C. 17. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 180 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/9353 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 429 (Bison) |
Trade | Pilot |
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. |
Miscellaneous Information
Harry was born in Eckville, Alberta on 31 December 1920. His father was a grain buyer and born at Waterloo, Ontario and his mother was born at Williamsburg, Ontario. He attended Stanley Jones School 1931-1935 and then to Crescent Heights 1935-1940. He had no employment but his sport interests were hockey, badminton, softball and swimming and his hobby was model aircraft. |
He enlisted on 15 May 1941 and after initial training he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Canada on 27 May 1943. He arrived at 3PRC on 5 June 1943, 15 (P) AFU 9 August 1943, 27 OTU 28 September 1943, 1659 CU. 19 November 1943 and finally at 429 Squadron on 28 December 1943. Sadly Harry was to lose his life on 15 March 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1853/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1853/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-03-1944 |
End Date | 16-03-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Night (69% moon) |
Operation | Stuttgart. 863 aircraft, 37 losses (4.3%). The bomber stream made its approach through France, crossing the German border as late as possible, delaying the point at which the German fighters were able to enter the stream. PFF marking was well short of the target, possibly due to the strong winds as the conditions were clear. Although some of the early bombing fell in the city, much of the later bombing fell outside. Damage was light- 88 deaths and 203 injuries. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down east of Vesoul, France by night fighter flown by Lt. Kurt Matzak of 12./NJG 1. |