Russell, Lewis Alexander
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Lewis Alexander |
Surname | Russell |
Gender | M |
Age | 28 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 24-02-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alexander Russell and Florence Russell (Storey), of Henfryn, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | NP936 |
Markings | 6U-P |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 18. G. 2-4. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 236 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/94268 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 415 (Swordfish) |
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
Lewis was born at Henfryn, Ontario on 2 March 1917. His father (who was deceased by the time of Lewis' enlistment) was born at Morris Township, Ontario and was a farmer. His mother at McKillop Township, Ontario. He had four sisters, Margaret, Hannah , Clara and another (un-named on enlistment papers), who was married. His schools were both in Brussels, Ontario: Public 1923-1933, then Continuation 1933-1936. He spent 3 years in the High School Cadets. The sports he enjoyed were football, baseball and hockey. Lewis worked in his own business as a grocer between 1936 and 1941. He then enlisted on 6 August 1941. |
He is next found embarking from Halifax for the U.K. on 15 February 1944 and at 3 PRC on 25 February. He goes on to 15 (P) AFU 18 April 1944, 24 OTU 11 July 1944, 61 Base 4 October 1944, 1661 CU 1 November 1944 and 415 Squadron on 28 December 1944. Sadly Lewis loses his life the following year on 24 February 1945. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1813/18 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1813/17 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 24-02-1945 |
End Date | 24-02-1945 |
Takeoff Station | East Moor |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Kamen- to attack a synthetic oil plant in the Bergkamen district. The target was cloud covered so a combination of G-H and Oboe was used (the latter being possible due to the proximity of the target to England. The local report states significant damage to the town centre, with most churches and the hospital being destroyed. No mention is made in the report of the level of damage to the oil refinery. |
Reason for Loss |