16 OTU RAF, 401 (RCAF) Squadron, 418 (RCAF) Squadron

In Memory of

George Donald MITCHELL

Sergeant
R/221524
Air Gunner
16 OTU, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on Tuesday 25 January 1944
Age 19

Additional Information:
Son of Harold Frederick and Helen Mitchell,
of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Grave or Reference Panel Number: Row A. Grave 1.

Nap King PERRY

Flying Officer
J/26300
Air Bomber
16 OTU, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on Tuesday 25 January 1944
Age 28

"I WILL... LAY ME DOWN
IN PEACE, AND SLEEP.
FOR THOU, LORD, ONLY MAKEST ME
DWELL IN SAFETY"

Circumstances:
(from Raf Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War by W R Chorley, Midlands Counties Publications. Note: In this book Nap King Perry is Pilot Officer)
25-26 January 1944.
Wellington III BK501, 16 OTU.
Crew: F/O J G Johnson RCAF, Sgt J F Smith, P/O N K Perry RCAF, Sgt P H Normanton, Sgt G D Mitchell RCAF, Sgt W K Rodgers RCAF.
Operation: Granville.
Take-off Upper Heyford. Presumed crashed in the sea off the West coast of the Cherbourg peninsula.
Two bodies, those of P/O(?) Perry RCAF, an American from Springfield, Missouri, and Sergeant Mitchell RCAF, were washed ashore near Lessay and both rest in the local Cemetery. The rest are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

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BENNELL, Acting S/L Richard James (C1376) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.418 Squadron - Award effective 7 October 1943 as per London Gazette dated 26 October 1943 and AFRO 2507/43 dated 3 December 1943. Born in England, 1912 ; living in Venezuela before the war; enlisted in Ottawa, 6 November 1939. Trained at No.1 SFTS (graduated 15 July 1940). Involved in following successful air actions: 27 February 1943, one unidentified enemy aircraft damaged ; 3 March 1943, one Do.217 destroyed ; 21 May 1943, one unidentified enemy aircraft damaged ; 6 September 1943, one Do.217 and one unidentified enemy aircraft destroyed. Killed in action 9 March 1944 while serving with No.418 Squadron.

This officer has completed many sorties over enemy territory at night. He has attacked numerous airfields with success, while on operations against rolling stock he has damaged several locomotives. In addition he has shot down three enemy aircraft. Squadron Leader Bennell is an inspiring leader whose great skill and determination have been reflected in the high standard of efficiency of his flight.

BENNELL, S/L (now W/C) Richard James, DFC (C1376, deceased) - United States Air Medal - Overseas - Award effective 4 June 1943 as per Canada Gazette dated 4 May 1946 and AFRO 473/46 dated 10 May 1946. Public Records Office Air 2/9599 has recommendation dated 14 May 1943.

When certain U.S. aircraft which were moving from Northern Ireland to the United Kingdom became lost while flying in bad weather, Squadron Leader Bennell and another officer located them and enabled them to land successfully.

Press Release 1523 from Headquarters, European Theatre of Operations, United States Army, 14 July 1943 (found with Air Ministry Bulletins) gives a portion of a more complete citation:

Squadron Leader Bennell, Royal Canadian Air Force, while serving as a pilot of a Royal Air Force plane (in 1942) was despatched to intercept and guide to base a flight of United States planes. Under extremely adverse weather conditions he located the flight and, displaying exceptional courage and skilful airmanship, led it to a safe landing at a friendly base. Without this assistance it is highly probable that several airplanes and their crews would have been lost.

Additional Information:
Son of George Howard Cummings and Kate Louise Cummings, of North Bay, Ontario, Canada.

Grave or Reference Panel Number: Row B. Grave 2.

Circumstances:
From Fighter Command Losses of Second World War by Norman L R FRANKS, Midland Publishing,
27 April 1944,
Spitfire IX MJ982, 401 (RCAF) Squadron,
Hit ground during low level attack on rail bridge at Granville.

Location of cemetery:
The village and commune of Lessay, on the west coast of the Cherbourg peninsula, is 36 kilometres north-west of Saint-Lô. The communal cemetery is south of the village on the D.2 road to Coutances. There are 5 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war here, near the north wall, on the right of the main path from the entrance.

Additional Information:
Son of Archibald and Frances Jane Shield, of Coventry; husband of G. E. Shield. His brother George Eric also died on service.

Grave or Reference Panel Number: Row B. Grave 3.

Circumstances:
From Fighter Command Losses of Second World War by Norman L R FRANKS, Midland Publishing,
9 March 1944,
Mosquito VI LR270, 418 (RCAF) Squadron,
Crew: W/C R J Bennell DFC AM, RCAF, F/O F Shield DFC,
Mission: Ranger, east of Avranches, pm.

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