Sykes, Robert Frederick
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Robert Frederick |
Surname | Sykes |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-02-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Arthur Ashton Sykes and Rachel Marian Sykes (née Clint), of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. B.A. (University of Manitoba). He had three brothers: John Arthur, Ross Clint and Douglas Ernest. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | LW339 |
Markings | DY-F |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 8. D. 14. |
Epitaph | GOD WILL KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE BECAUSE HE TRUSTED IN GOD |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 250 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/86398 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 102 (Ceylon) |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Sykes Bay, Manitoba; The NW shorleine of Tatowaycho Lake |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Bay |
Memorial Text |
Location | St. Catherine's Church Barmby Moor, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Roll of Honour in wall mounted wooden case, Sqn Badge above |
Memorial Text | 102 (Ceylon) Sqn Roll of Honour and Sqn badge |
Location | Pocklington Gliding Club, Pocklington Airfield, Easy Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stylised Memorial with inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 102 (Ceylon) Sqn RAF and 405 (Vancouver) Sqn RCAF which served at RAF Pocklington during WW2 |
Miscellaneous Information
Born 18 July 1918 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was educated at Robert H Smith Primary school. 1924-1932, then Kelvin Technical High School 1932-1934, United College 1934-1939 and Dominion Business College 1939-1940. He gained a B.A from the University of Manitoba. His father, Arthur, worked as a Credit Manager for the Beaver Lumber Company where Robert also worked as a junior clerk for six months whilst still at University and again from May 1939 until August 1940. Robert also worked for Sharp Woodley and Company as an Accounting apprentice from July 1940 until 7th August 1941 when he left to join the RCAF. |
He enlisted on the 15 August 1941 as an AC2, on 21 August 1942 was promoted to Sgt; on 21 Feb 1943 to F/Sargeant; 21 August 1943 to WO2 and on 14 Feb 1944 to P/O. Arrived in UK on 4 Nov 1942; 3 PRC 5 Nov 1942; 9(0) AFU 1 March 1943; 19 OTU 20 April 1943; 1658 Conversion Unit 19 Aug 1943 and 102 Sqn 25 Sept 1943. |
He enjoyed playing tennis, baseball, golf and hockey. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/810/4 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/810/3 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-02-1944 |
End Date | 16-02-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Pocklington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (63% moon) |
Operation | Berlin. 891 aircraft- the largest raid on Berlin and in fact the largest 'non-1000' raid of the war. The bomb tonnage dropped was also a record at 2642 tons. 43 aircraft losses (4.8%). The bomber stream was tracked by the German controllers as soon as it left the English coast but a swing to the north over Denmark for the approach was effective as it was out of the range of many fighters. The controller ordered that Berlin be kept free of fighters to allow the flak batteries the full range of altitudes but many ignored the order and attacked bombers over the target. Berlin was cloud covered but the bombing was reasonably concentrated, although some bombs fell on outlying towns and villages. Damage was extensive with over 1000 houses and 526 temporary accommodation barracks destroyed. Some of the most important war industries were hit and 320 people were killed. The relatively low death toll is a reflection of the fact that large-scale evacuations had taken place by now. |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak and crashed at Bartelshagen, Germany |