I’m putting my family tree together and researching my late mother-in-law’s cousin.
All I knew was that he was killed whilst serving with the RAF in WWII,but somehow I’ve managed to find a few details.
Through the CWGC site I’ve found that he’s buried in Rheinberg cemetery in Germany,but I’d like to know how he came to be there. Unfortunately I don’t have a clue where to look to find out.
Could somebody please point me in the right direction ?
He was F/Eng ( not quite sure about the rank ) Alfred Michael Parker,RAFVR
Service no. 1259549
and his date of death was 3rd April 1943
Thanks chaps.
Anne
By: Lynx815 - 29th October 2020 at 21:04
The original details are in the National Archives file AIR 27/660/68 covering 78 Sqn Operations Record Book for April 43. This is digitised and can be downloaded for free.
By: Dougie Hepburn - 26th October 2020 at 21:18
Anne,
My Uncle George Riach was the pilot on that fateful night.I am also looking for details or photos to show my mum who is now 77 and I was booked to visit their grave in Rheinberg this year but still not made it due to covid restriction.Would love to hear anything about them as like myself you must be so proud of them all.x
By: BumbleBee - 14th October 2012 at 00:25
Blimey,I knew the forum was full of experts but I didn’t expect a reply so soon.
Thanks Kev,as I said I didn’t have a clue where to look.
I’m proud to have this family link to Bomber Command,however distant. Likewise with my great-grandfather who served at Gallipoli.
I just wish I’d thought to start this family research when there were still relatives alive to tell me their memories.
Cheers, Anne
By: kev35 - 14th October 2012 at 00:17
Hi, Anne.
Your man was part of the crew of a Halifax II DT780 of 78 Squadron lost on the night of 3/4 April 1943 on a raid on Essen. Details below from Chorley’s Bomber Command Losses.
Took off 1946 Linton-on-Ouse. Crashed in the general vicinity of Monchengladbach, where the two airmen who died were laid to rest on 8 April in the Stadtfriedhof. Since 1945, their remains have been taken to Rheinberg War Cemetery. The service number for S/L Bourchier RCAF, suggests he had served in Canada’s Air Force for many years.
Crew:
Pilot Officer G Riach – Killed.
Squadron Leader B J Bourchier, RCAF.
Sergeant A M Parker – Killed.
Sergeant E C Lacey.
Sergeant W Ingles.
Sergeant D H Howard.
Sergenat L L Stas.
Sergeant A Wright.
Aside from the two crew members killed, the remainder were all taken prisoner. 78 Squadron lost 3 aircraft that night.
Regards,
kev35
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October 14, 2012 at 12:03 am