Wann, John Allistair
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | John Allistair |
Surname | Wann |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 04-04-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alexander Wann and Isabella Wann (née Smart), of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | HR699 |
Markings | ZA-J |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 175. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 259 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/9543 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 10 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Wann Lake, Manitoba; 15km SW of Lynn Lake, Manitoba |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Lake |
Memorial Text |
Location | Melbourne, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Memorial Stone & Plaque |
Memorial Text | No 10 Squadron, 4 Group Bomber Command, WWII 1939-1945. This memorial was erected at the entrance to the former RAF Station Melbourne by ex Members and Friends of the Squadron to honour the memory of all personnel who died in the service of their Country |
Location | Melbourne Airfield, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Runway Light in Concrete Base |
Memorial Text | Let this landing light be a memorial to all those 1,000 aircrew and 120 aircraft that left this very point never to return so that we may return again and again in freedom to enjoy York Motor Sport Park |
Miscellaneous Information
John was born on 15 July 1917 at Winnipeg, Manitoba. His father (who was deceased by the time of John's enlistment) was a farmer and both he and his mother were born in Scotland. He had no siblings. He attended the following schools in Winnipeg: Carleton school 1924-1928, Alexander 1928-1929, Mulvey 1929-1930, Gordon Bell 1930-1934 and Kelvin school 1930-1934. He also went to the Angus Business College between 1938-1939 where he studied shorthand and typing. His hobby was drawing and his sports interests included basketball, baseball, swimming and hockey. John worked for Stainless Steel Packing Co. Winnipeg as a shipper between 1936-1938 and then was a bookkeeper for the Cockshutt Plow Company, Winnipeg until he enlisted on 22 April 1941. |
After training he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Canada on 24 January 1942. After arriving in the U.K. at 3 PRC on 10 February 1942 he continued to 12 (P) AFU 1 April 1942, 20 OTU on 16 June 1942, 24 OTU 22 June, 10 Squadron 2 October 1942. John sadly lost his life on 4 April 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/144/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/144/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 04-04-1943 |
End Date | 05-04-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Melbourne |
Day/Night Raid | Night (0% moon) |
Operation | Kiel. 577 aircraft, making this the largest raid of the war so far, with the exception of the 1000-bomber raids. 12 aircraft lost (2.1%). Thick cloud and strong winds in the target area made PFF marking difficult. Decoy fires also drew some bombing. As a result there was little damage caused |
Reason for Loss | Lost without trace |