Lynass, James Cunningham
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | James Cunningham |
Surname | Lynass |
Gender | M |
Age | 29 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Hendry Lynass and Agnes Lynass (née Cunningham), of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Husband of Helen May Lynass (née Beckwith), whom he married on 6 March 1939 at Edmonton. Father of Jean Ellen Lynass. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Lockheed Ventura I |
Serial Number | AE798 |
Markings | EG-D |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 183. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 201 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/103922 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 2 |
Squadron | 487 (New Zealand) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Miscellaneous Information
Operation Rodeo 212 was a diversionary raid by 11 Group, on Vlissingen. It cost 487 Squadron 11 Venturas |
James was born on 14 December 1913 at Calgary, Alberta. Both parents were born in Scotland and his father was a farmer at Delburne, Alberta. The schools James attended were Great Bend Public 1923-1929 and Great Bend High School 1929-1934. His sport interests were football, baseball, boxing and swimming. Between 1934 and 1941 James worked as a farm hand and mine operator for his father, after which he enlisted on 10 June 1941 at Calgary. According to James's enlistment papers, his parents retained thier British citizenship. |
After enlistment and initial training he was posted to the U.K. where he arrived at 3 RCAF PRC on 5 November 1942, followed by 487 Squadron on 29 December 1942. Sadly James was to lose his life on 3 May 1943 from 487 Squadron. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1935/14 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1935/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-05-1943 |
End Date | 03-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Methwold |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Operation Ramrod 16- to attack a power station on the northern outskirts of Amsterdam. An exceptional number of experienced fighter pilots were present at Schipol airfield for a conference and they were scrambled following the earlier Spitfire sweep of the area. Nine of the aircraft were shot down, leaving a sole Ventura to press on and bomb the target (since one had turned back early). The last one was then shot down, meaning a loss rate of 90.9%- the highest of the war. S/L Trent, the pilot of the Ventura that pressed on, was awarded a VC for his bravery. |
Reason for Loss | Presumed Lost over the sea |