Hovey, Vernon Earl
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Vernon Earl |
Surname | Hovey |
Gender | M |
Age | 19 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 25-04-1945 |
Next of Kin | son of Roy Gilbert Hovey and Ina Eva Hovey, of Ludlow, New Brunswick, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax VII |
Serial Number | NP796 |
Markings | EQ-M |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 280. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 185 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/95257 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 408 (Goose) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Centre, Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial and inscribed slate tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of 408 (Goose) and 426 (Thunderbird) Squadrons of R.C.A.F |
Miscellaneous Information
Vernon was born on 5 January 1926 at Ludlow, New Brunswick. His father was in the army and both parents were born in Ludlow. He had a brother Melvin Murray, and three sisters, Gertie Alice (who was married), Irma Hazel and Lorna Ellwyn. He attended Ludlow School 1930-1933, then Fredericton 1933 -1940. The sports he took part in were hockey and football. Vernon worked for Hart’s shoe factory, Fredericton as a machinist 1940-1941; as a clerk in a book store 1941-1942, and at Canada China Clay Silica Mines, Kasil, Quebec, 1943. |
He enlisted on 22-September 1943 and after training was posted to the U.K. He embarked from Halifax on 2 June 1944 arriving at 3 RCAF (PRC) on 11 June 1944. He then continued to 86 OTU 11 July 1944, 61 Base 27 September 1944 and 408 Squadron 5 April 1945. Vernon sadly list his life shortly after on 25 April 1945. |
Six of the seven aircraft lost on this operation were as a result of mid-air collisions, despite weather conditions being almost perfect |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 25-04-1945 |
End Date | 25-04-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Linton-on-Ouse |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Wangerooge- to attack gun positions |
Reason for Loss | Collided with a 426 Squadron Halifax (NP820 OW-W) |