Shoemaker, Wilbert Andrew
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Wilbert Andrew |
Surname | Shoemaker |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | DFC |
Date of Death | 26-07-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Linus Shoemaker and Magdalena Shoemaker (née Geier), of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling I |
Serial Number | W7576 |
Markings | LS-G |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen |
Grave Reference | 8. G. 4. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 241 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/7035 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 15 (XV) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | RAF Wyton Memorial Garden, Wyton, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Commemorating the Pathfinder Sqns operating from RAF Wyton, 1942-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Wilbert was born at Waterloo, Ontario on 8 August 1919. His father, who was deceased by the time of Wilbert's enlistment, was born at Walkerton, Ontario and his mother at Waterloo. He had two brothers - Herbert and Clare, and four sisters - Ethel, Joan, Marie and another married sister living in USA. He went to St. Mary’s School, Kitchener, Ontario. 1925-1932 and Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate 1932-1936. Wilbert also studied at the International correspondence School from 1939 onwards. Some of the sports he enjoyed were handball, tennis, hockey, basketball and swimming. Wilbert worked for Cluett Peabody Company of Canada, at Kitchener from 1936-1940 as an Office Clerk. He then enlisted on 14 September 1940. |
After training he was posted to the U.K. and after embarking from Canada he arrived at 10 OTU. He reached 19 OTU on 9 January 1942 and then 15 Squadron on 22 April 1942. Sadly Wilbert lost his life on 26 July 1942 from 15 Squadron. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/203/38 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/203/37 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 25-07-1942 |
End Date | 26-07-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Wyton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (95% moon) |
Operation | Duisburg. 215 aircraft. Again, the marker flares were not accurately deployed. Some housing damage although bombing was very scattered. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Horst near Venlo |