Sykes, Leonard Taylor
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Leonard Taylor |
Surname | Sykes |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-07-1944 |
Next of Kin | son of Taylor Sykes and Maria Elenor Sykes (Dorcas) of Fort Benton , Montana, USA. Husband of Theresa Olivine Sykes (née Mallette)- marriage on 31 December 1941 in Shelby, Montana. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LV970 |
Markings | QB-T |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Boissy-sous-St. Yon Communal Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Grave 3. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 250 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/26111 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 424 (Tiger) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United States of America |
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
Leonard was born on 27 November 1918 at Woodrow, Saskatchewan. His father was born in North Dakota, USA and worked as a meat cutter and his mother was born in Canada. He attended Chester Public School 1926-1934 (in USA) followed by Chester High 1934-1938 (grade 12 complete). Leonard also worked as a meat cutter like his father between 1938-1942 when he then enlisted. He enjoyed being involved in all sports. He had a ‘First Aid To The Injured‘ certificate. |
After enlisting on 27 May 1942 and completing his training, Leonard embarked for the U.K., arriving at 3 PRC on 2 July 1943. He then went through 3(P) AFU 10 August 1943, 82 OTU 9 October 1943, 61 Base 29 March 1944, 1659 CU 2 April 1944, and 424 Squadron 13 May 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1835/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1835/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 04-07-1944 |
End Date | 05-07-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Skipton on Swale |
Day/Night Raid | Night (98% moon) |
Operation | Villeneuve St Georges- to attack railway yards. Part of a 282 strong bomber force to attack railway yards at Orléans and Villeneuve St Georges. Both were accurately hit but with the loss of 25 aircraft in all (8.9%). |
Reason for Loss | Crashed at Boissy-sous-St You, SW of Arpajon, France |