Metcalfe, Thomas
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Thomas |
Surname | Metcalfe |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 19-02-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of Thomas Metcalfe and Fanny Maude Metcalfe (née Keynes), of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | PD336 |
Markings | WP-P |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 279. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 211 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/38224 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 90 |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roadside location, Tilbury Juxta Clare, Essex |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Memorial |
Memorial Text | In memory of the Airmen of XC Sqn, No 3 Bomb Group flying operations from here with the Mk 1 Stirling Bomber December 1943 until May 1943 |
Location | St. Mary & All the Saints Church, Little Walsingham, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | In loving memory of Henry Philip Lee Warner AFC DFC. Only Son of Philip Henry & Mary King Lee Warner. Actg S/L RAFVR killed in action over Germany Aug 26th 1944 in his 32nd year |
Location | Village Green, Tuddenham, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial atopped with Inscribed Silver Sun-Dial |
Memorial Text | For all those who served their country as part of XC Sqn RAF |
Location | St. Mary's Church, Tuddenham, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Framed Sqn Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | They grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the Sun and in the morning, we will remember them |
Miscellaneous Information
Thomas was born on 5 November 1923 at Vancouver, British Colombia. His father, a pipe fitter's helper, was born in London, England and his mother was born in Croydon, Surrey, England. He had a brother, Robert James and two sisters: Violet Doris, who was married, and a younger sister Betty Jean. The schools he attended were Hastings School, 1929-1936, Templeton High, 1936-1939 and then Vancouver Tech,1939-1941 (Grade 11). Thomas didn’t have any hobbies but his favourite sports were baseball and soccer. He worked for Restmore Manufacturing Company as a cabinet maker 1941-1942 and then for Hammond Furniture Co. in the warehouse also as a cabinet helper in February 1942. He then enlisted on 2 September 1942. |
After training he was posted to the U.K. embarking from Halifax on 5 March 1944 and arriving at 3 PRC on the 15th March. He then continued to 7 (0) AFU 28 March 1944, 12 OTU 3 May 1944, 31 Base 28 July 1944 and 90 Squadron 30 September 1944. Sadly Thomas lost his life on 19 February 1945. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/733/4 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/733/3 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 19-02-1945 |
End Date | 19-02-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Tuddenham |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Wesel. 298 aircraft, 3 losses. The target was cloud-covered and the Master Bomber cancelled further bombing after only 8 aircraft had dropped their bomb-load. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed in the Rhine near Xanten, Germany |