Walsh, Richard James Hartland
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Richard James Hartland |
Surname | Walsh |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 29-12-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of James Emerson Walsh and Winifred Bridgette Walsh (née O’Neill), of Montreal, Québec, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | JD318 |
Markings | AL-F |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
Burial/Memorial Place | Tubbergen (Albergen) Roman Catholic Cemetry |
Grave Reference | Grave 3. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 259 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/225386 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 429 (Bison) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roman Rd, Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brass plaque set into a stone plinth into which is carved with the Canadian maple leaf and the Yorkshire rose. |
Memorial Text | This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served at RAF Leeming during World War II, including those from the Royal Canadian Air Force Squadrons, whose members came from all parts of the Commonwealth from 1942 to 1945; 405 Vancouver, 408 Goose |
Location | Opposite old Main Guardroom, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial & Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In commemoration of those men and women of many nations who served at RAF Leeming during the second world war. |
Miscellaneous Information
Richard was born on 15 June 1920 at Montreal, Quebec. His father, deceased, was born in Huntingdon, Quebec and had worked as a contractor and his mother was born in Fenham, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. He had a sister Gladys. Lt.(NS) Gladys Walsh R.C.A.M.C. The schools Richard attended, which were all in Montreal, were: Cote des Neiges (Public) 1925-1929. Kensington Park (Public) 1929-1932. West Hill High , 1932-1934. He also went on a six month electrical course at Montreal Tech. After that, between 1935-1937 Richard was visiting an uncle in America. On his return he worked as a shop assistant at Hampstead Golf Club, Montreal. His sport interests were golf, swimming, hockey and tennis. |
Before enlisting in the RCAF, Richard had served with his father’s regiment the Black Watch (R.H.R) of Canada, with whom he had enlisted on 31 August 1939. Richard had been wounded In Dieppe in August 1942, whilst serving overseas and on 28 May 1943. Whilst still in London he transferred to the RCAF. He was at 14 ITW 12June 1943, 4 AGS 17 July 1943, 1659 CU 28 August 1943 and 429 Squadron 25 September 1943. Sadly, this young man was to lose his life from there on 29 December 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1852/24 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1852/23 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-12-1943 |
End Date | 30-12-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Leeming |
Day/Night Raid | Night (11% moon) |
Operation | Berlin. 712 aircraft, 20 losses (2.8%). Three diversionary raids (Düsseldorf, Leipzig and Magdeburg) together with poor weather on the approach, caused enough disruption to prevent many night-fighters intercepting the main force. Berlin was again cloud-covered. The local report and Bomber Command's own report are at odds regarding the concentration of the attack. 182 people were killed on the ground and a further 10000 were bombed out of their homes but otherwise, little significant damage was caused. |
Reason for Loss | Attacked from the rear by a night-fighter and crashed from 19000' on Hengelo. The order to bale out was given when the aircraft became extremely difficult to control |