Starrup, Benjamin Victor
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Benjamin Victor |
Surname | Starrup |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 11-05-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Eric Joseph Starrup and Winifred Starrup (née Park), of Ottawa, Canada |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | HX314 |
Markings | QB-C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Guidel Communal Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Row 6. Grave 15. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 246 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/89254 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 424 (Tiger) |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Skipton on Swale, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone, inscribed Metal Plaque & Maple Tree |
Memorial Text | A memorial to the Canadian personnel who served at RAF Skipton on Swale during WW2, including 424 Sqn RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
Benjamin was born 11 November 1922 in Ottawa. His father was born in London, England and was a sign writer, his mother had been born in Glasgow, Scotland. His father had died in 1939. He also had a sister, Winifred, and a step father E George Lauder who was a Private, C-20927 in the Canadian Army in England. They lived at 450, Somerset Street West, Ottawa. Benjamin was a High School student at St Patrick’s Separate School 1929-1937, then at the Lisgar Collegiate Institute 1937-1941. He also went to the Commerce College Institute 1940-1941 for night school classes where he studied typing until enlisting. He was in the Lisgar Collegiate Cadets 1937-1938. He worked as a night delivery boy and did clerical work for five years for F.W.Musgrove’s drug store at 24 Lakeside Avenue, Ottawa. |
He enlisted on 8 September 1941 and after initial training embarked for the U.K. on 27 October 1942. On arrival he went to 3 PRC 6 November 1942, 1 (O) AFU on 5 April 1943, 24 OTU, 1659 CU, 6 October 1943, 429 Sqn 8 November 1943, 61 Base and then 424 Squadron on 11 March 1944. He was killed exactly two months later. |
Benjamin’s hobbies were amateur photography, first aid, Boy Scout training and School cadet training. His sporting interests were fencing, swimming, cycling, horseback riding and he enjoyed camping. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1835/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1835/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 10-05-1944 |
End Date | 11-05-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Skipton on Swale |
Day/Night Raid | Night (92% moon) |
Operation | Mining in French waters |
Reason for Loss | Hit by light flak and caught fire, crashing into the sea off Lorient |