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On this ANZAC Day, we remember the three Australians who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Flying Officer HARRY RIDING, Flight Sergeant GARNET WALTER DURDIN and Flying Officer ERROL CLIFTON CRAPP.  From the left - Harry Riding, Garnet Durdin and Errol Crapp
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Each anniversary comes around quicker than the last, it feels. Another year passes, but we continue to remember the crew who made the ultimate sacrifice. In remembrance of the seven-man crew of Lancaster ED559. F/Lt Richard A. Curle (Pilot) — RAF 121280 (Age 28) Sgt David A. Hart (Flight Engineer) — RAF 567377 (Age 24) F/O Harry Riding (Wireless Operator) — RAAF 403699 (Age 25) F/O Errol C. Crapp (Navigator) — RAAF 411113 (Age 24) P/O Charles S. Challoner (Bomb Aimer) — RAF 131995 (Age 37) Sgt Daniel L. Gooch (Mid-Upper Gunner) — RAF 1336491 (Age 19) Sgt Garnet W. Durdin (Rear Gunner) — RAAF 416149 (Age 25)  I was in Lincoln in early November and revisited the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC). I left a remembrance cross for the crew of ED559. Sadly, the the site and the ribbon stones had recently been subject to some flooding, and they are to be cleaned soon. F/Lt Richard A. Curle (Pilot) — RAF 121280 (Age 28) Sgt David A. Hart (Flight Engineer) — RAF 567377 (Age 24) F/O Harry Riding (Wireless Operator) — RAAF 403699 (Age 25) F/O Errol C. Crapp (Navigator) — RAAF 411113 (Age 24) P/O Charles S. Challoner (Bomb Aimer) — RAF 131995 (Age 37) Sgt Daniel L. Gooch (Mid-Upper Gunner) — RAF 1336491 (Age 19) Sgt Garnet W. Durdin (Rear Gunner) — RAAF 416149 (Age 25) We will remember them.  International Bomber Command Centre Ribbon Stone for ED559  International Bomber Command Centre November 2024  International Bomber Command Centre November Lancaster Sculpture  International Bomber Command Centre November Lancaster Air Crew Silhouettes  Lincoln Cathedral November 2024  International Bomber Command Centre Spire and Air Crew Silhouettes I am indebted to Steven Westwood for the first photo I have seen of the navigator of Lancaster ED559, Errol Clifton Crapp. You can learn more about Errol on the Crew page. I am aware that several diaries and documents belonging to Errol reside at the Australian War Memorial (donated by his brother, Arthur) but some haven't been fully digitised just yet. There is a file that has been digitised which I am now researching. Steven recently emailed the photo as he was undertaking research at the Australian War Memorial and his research led him to this website. Just two more photos to find: Bomb aimer Pilot Officer CHARLES STUART CHALLONER & Flight Engineer Sergeant DAVID ADRIAN HART.  Errol Clifton Crapp RAAF I recently received the IBCC newsletter. Among the articles was an update that the Digital Archive Team had undertaken to map the areas where Bomber Command dropped sea mines. One of the areas was the Gironde Estuary, the target for Lancaster ED559 and her crew in March 1943. One link led off to original navigation charts of a Lancaster's run to Royan. It's journey is almost identical to the routs that ED559 would have taken. Below are just three of the interesting maps the archive has. Copyright IBCC.  Flight path to Royan to drop sea mines in the Gironde Estuary (UK)  Flight path to Royan to drop sea mines in the Gironde Estuary (Northern France)  Flight path to Royan to drop sea mines in the Gironde Estuary (Gironde Estuary) |
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November 2024
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