Rathbone, John
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | John |
Surname | Rathbone |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-06-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Wade Rathbone and Ethel Rathbone, of Oak Hill, Stoke-On-Trent. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LV966 |
Markings | BM-P |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot 1. Row A. Grave 24. |
Epitaph | IN SACRED SOIL HIS BODY LIES; WE HOPE TO MEET BEYOND THE SKIES. MOTHER, FATHER & FAMILY |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 230 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 178322 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 433 (Porcupine) |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1862/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1862/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 14-06-1944 |
End Date | 15-06-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Skipton on Swale |
Day/Night Raid | Night (35% moon) |
Operation | Cambrai- to attack railway facilities. Part of a 330 aircraft force to attack a number of railway installations in the general area around Normandy. All the targets were either cloud or haze covered and bombing was not especially concentrated as a result. Four aircraft Lost, including the Douai Master Bomber. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed at Saultain, SE of Valenciennes, France |