Ridsdale, John Reuben
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | John Reuben |
Surname | Ridsdale |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 14-02-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of John and Florence Ridsdale, of Norton, Stockton-On-Tees, Co. Durham. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | MZ856 |
Markings | C8-S |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Durnbach War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 5. A. 7-10. |
Epitaph | O HEAVENLY STAR, SHINE ON THIS GRAVE FOR THIS IS WHERE OUR DEAR ONE LIES. R.I.P. |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 232 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1591283 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 640 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Normandy Barracks, Leconfield, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Metal Sculpture Brick Pillars and Inscribed Sqn Badges |
Memorial Text | A memorial to those who flew from RAF Leconfield, including 640 Sqn |
Location | Memorial Gardens, Beverley, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone, Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | A memorial to those of 640 Sqn who were killed during WW2 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2216/28 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2157/27 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 14-02-1945 |
End Date | 15-02-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Leconfield |
Day/Night Raid | Night (8% moon) |
Operation | Chemnitz as a continuation of Operation Thunderclap. 717 aircraft, 13 lost. As with the raid on Dresden, this was a two-wave raid, 3 hours apart. A very elaborate diversion program kept fighters at bay but the target was cloud-covered so only sky-marking was possible. Most parts of the town were hit but many bombs fell in open country. No local report is available. |
Reason for Loss |