Hickling, William Liness Charles
Personal Information
Rank | W/O |
Forename(s) | William Liness Charles |
Surname | Hickling |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | DFC |
Date of Death | 20-12-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Charles and Mary Celia Hickling, of North Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | JA674 |
Markings | GT-Q |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Hanover War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 8. E. 13. |
Epitaph | HIS DUTY FEARLESSLY AND NOBLY DONE. EVER REMEMBERED |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 181 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 400433 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 156 |
Squadron Motto | We light the way |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Australia |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary Magdalene Church, Warboys, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Inscribed Slate Tablet |
Memorial Text | We light the way" This tablet is placed in memory of Flight Lieutenant JL Sloper DFC and Bar, RAFVR. And in tribute to all who served with 156 Squadron Path Finders Force at RAF Warboys, 1942-1945, In gratitude. |
Location | Tithe Farm, Warboys, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Pillars and inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | From this RAF Station Warboys 156 squadrons No 8 (PFF) group, marked targets for Bomber Command 1942-1944 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1041/46 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1041/45 |
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 | 20-12-1943 |
End Date | 21-12-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Warboys |
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. |