Hodgson, George Thomas
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | George Thomas |
Surname | Hodgson |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 21-07-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Allison Hodgson and Jessie Hodgson (née Stocks), of Vanessa, Norfolk, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | MZ617 |
Markings | LK-D |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Uden War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 5. A. 12. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 183 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/191916 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 578 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Adjacent to A19, Burn, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone |
Memorial Text | For all who served in 578 Squadron Royal Air Force Burn 1944 - 1945 |
Location | Methodist Church, Burn, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text |
Location | Selby Abbey, Selby, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH in Glass topped wooden cabinet |
Memorial Text | In memory of all 578 Sqn Aircrew who failed to return from Ops at RAF Burn |
Miscellaneous Information
George was born on 26 May 1923 at Vanessa, Norfolk, Ontario the son of William Allison Hodgson and Jessie Hodgson (Stocks). His parents were both born in Yorkshire, England, his father at Nafferton who was a labourer and his mother at Hull. He had five brothers. The schools he attended were Vanessa Public School, Ontario 1929-1938 followed by Waterford High School, 1938-1940. He enjoyed most sports occasionally and his hobbies were woodwork and drawing. George worked as a baker at W.H. Carpenter, John Hutchion, Baker’s Ltd at Brantford, Ontario between 1940-1942. He then enlisted on 10 October 1942. |
After training he embarked from Halifax on 26 August 1943. Arriving in the U.K. at 3PRC on 2 September 1943 he then went to 20 OTU 21 September 1943, 1663 CU 22 November 1943 and then 578 Squadron on 27 March 1944. George very sadly lost his life on 21 July 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2052/15 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2050/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 20-07-1944 |
End Date | 21-07-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Burn |
Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
Operation | Bottrop- to attack a synthetic oil plant. 166 aircraft, 8 losses. The northern part of the target was badly damaged |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Herpen, ENE of Oss, Holland |