Johannesson, Gudmundur Arnpor
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Gudmundur Arnpor |
Surname | Johannesson |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Gudmundur Johannesson and Kristveig Johannesson (née Grimsdottir), of Arborg Manitoba, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | HR658 |
Markings | EQ-V |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 182. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 189 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/123858 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 408 (Goose) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Johannesson Lake, Manitoba; Equidistant between Caribou River Park Reserve, Sand Lakes Provincial Park and Wapusk National Park |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Lake |
Memorial Text |
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. |
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
Gudmundur was born on 30 May 1918 at Arborg, Manitoba. Both parents were born in Iceland and his father was a retired Contractor. He had seven brothers and also one married sister. The schools he attended were Ardal school 1924-1929, and then the Primary school at Sparling, Camrose, Winnipeg 1929-1933. After that he attended General Wolfe, Winnipeg 1933-1934, and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate 1934-1936 (Snr. Matric XII). He then progressed to the University of Manitoba 1936-1940, where he attained a B.A degree in arts and science. His sport interests were hockey, tennis, gymnastics and swimming. During the summers of 1933-1935 Gudmundur had worked part time at various occupations including at Safeway Stores, and as a cream grader, a clerk, and accounting, before going to University. After leaving university he worked as a clerk for the Swift Canadian Co. at St. Boniface, Manitoba, 1940-1941. |
He enlisted on 14 August 1941 and after training was posted to the U.K.. He embarked from Canada on 7 August 1942 and arrived at 3PRC on 19 August 1942 and then continued to 6(P)AFU 8 September 1942, 23 OTU 8 December 1942, 1659 CU 25 March 1943 and 408 Squadron on 8 April 1943. Sadly Gudmundur was to lose his life the following month on 5 May 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1797/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1797/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 04-05-1943 |
End Date | 05-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Night (1% moon) |
Operation | Dortmund. 596 aircraft,- the largest 'non-1000' raid of the war so far and the first major attack on Dortmund. 31 losses (5.2%) with a further 7 crashing due to bad weather at their bases, taking the total loss rate to 6.4%. PFF marking was accurate but backup marking was not. Also, decoy fires attracted many of the bombs. Severe damage was nevertheless caused to much of the central and northern areas of the city, including the Hoesch and Dortmunder Union steelworks. At least 693 people were killed, including 200 PoWs. |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace |