Richmond, Bruce Andrew
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Bruce Andrew |
Surname | Richmond |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 30-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Andrew Richmond and Adelaide Mary Campbell Richmond (née McKay). His brother, R/225463 F/S William Merser Richmond also lost his life while serving in RCAF. Their father Andrew was a WWI veteran. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington X |
Serial Number | HZ471 |
Markings | AL- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 174. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 232 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/21221 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 429 (Bison) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Centre, Sutton on the Forest, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone & Metal Sun Dial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to all those who served at RAF East Moor and in particular 415 Sqn RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
Bruce was born on 19 November 1922 in St, Boniface, Manitoba one of four children. His father worked as an accountant. He had one brother, William Merser a Sgt.,also in the R.C.A.F overseas and two sisters, Ruby and Claudine who were both in the R.CA.F. too. Bruce attended Mulvey Public School, Winnipeg 1929-1935 where he took his High School Entrance, followed by Kitsilano High school, Vancouver, 1935-1941 where he did his Junior Matric. In the July/August of 1940 he worked as a Swamper for Albert Furniture. |
Bruce enlisted on 5 August 1941 and after training Embarked for England on 7 August 1942. After arrival he went to 3 PRC on 19 August 1942, 6 (P) AFU 1 September 1942, 23 OTU 17 November 1942, 427 Sqn.1 March 1943 and then 429 Squadron on 6 May 1943. He lost his life later the same month. His younger brother, R/225463 F/Sgt. William Merser Richmond, tragically lost his life too whilst serving in England. He served with the R.A.F. between 17 April 1940 and 21 March 1944 and then enlisted with the R.C.A.F.the following day. William's trade was as a Flight Engineer with Coastal Command. On a flying op on the 14th March 1945, the aircraft failed to return and was last heard of about 75 miles South East of Sumburgh Head, Shetland Isles. There was no further trace of them. |
He enjoyed playing Canadian football and English rugby. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1852/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1852/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-05-1943 |
End Date | 30-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | East Moor |
Day/Night Raid | Night (16% moon) |
Operation | Wuppertal. 719 aircraft, 33 losses(4.6%). PFF target marking and the resultant main force bombing was especially accurate, leading to what was probably the first instance of a 'firestorm'. Five of the six largest factories in the town, 211 other industrial premises and almost 4000 homes were completely destroyed. Approximately 3400 deaths- five times greater than any other city raid. |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace |