Tod, Robert Ernest
Personal Information
Rank | WO2 |
Forename(s) | Robert Ernest |
Surname | Tod |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | DFM |
Date of Death | 23-06-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alexander and Mary Edith Tod, of St. Vital, Manitoba, Canada. His Twin Brother Richard Douglas Also Died On Service. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | EH889 |
Markings | AA-Z |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Medemblik General Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Grave 249. |
Epitaph | TO SAVE MANKIND - YOURSELF YOU SCORNED TO SAVE |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 254 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/91742 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 75 (NZ) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Tod Lake, Manitoba; 30km east of Reindeer Lake. The Tods were inseperable twins (probably identical) and it is fitting that they share the same natural feature |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Lake |
Memorial Text |
Location | Village Centre, Mepal, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | A stone memorial, donated by former members of 75 (NZ) Sqn RAF stationed at Mepal between 1943 and 1945 |
Location | St. Andrews Church, Sutton, Cambridgeshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Roll of Honour in Wooden Case with brass plaque |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour. Plaque, Presented by 75(NZ) Sqn Association - UK Branch in memory of Comrades named in the Roll of Honour |
Location | St. Marys Church, Feltwell, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Piller and Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | A memorial to 75 (NZ) Sqn, RAF. Formed at RAF Feltwell in April 1940 and flew from there until June 1942. The Sqn number was presented to New Zealand becoming 75 Sqn RNZAF in October 1946 until its disbanding in December 2001. |
Location | Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | Remembering No 75 (New Zealand) Sqn, No 3 Gp Bomber Command. RAF Newmarket Heath, November 1942 - June 1943 |
Miscellaneous Information
One of 23-year-old twin brothers from St Vital, Manitoba, Canada killed in the same aircraft |
DFM Citation, London Gazette, 4 May 1943: "This airman was the wireless operator of an aircraft which was damaged by anti-aircraft fire during an operational flight over enemy territory. The aircraft gradually lost height and the pilot was eventually compelled to bring it down on to the sea. Meanwhile, Sergeant Tod coolly worked at his apparatus, maintaining wireless contact with base. His excellent work enabled the aircraft to be continuously plotted from the ground, and plans for rescue to be made. The ontire crew of the aircraft were picked up within 15 minutes of coming down on to the sea. This airman displayed great coolness and unswerving devotion to duty throughout. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/646/36 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/646/35 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 22-06-1943 |
End Date | 23-06-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Newmarket |
Day/Night Raid | Night (70% moon) |
Operation | Mülheim. 557 aircraft, 35 losses (6.3%) A thin layer of cloud hampered PFF marking efforts which were, nevertheless accurate (as detailed by the German report on the raid). As a result the bombing was concentrated and devastated this small town. All communications were cut off from Oberhausen, on which Mülheim was dependent for emergency services. 578 deaths and 1135 homes destroyed. A post war British report put the damage at 64% of the town. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed into the Ijsselmeer |