Halifax LW686 damaged by flak, returned safely to East Moor airfield.

On the night of 27th/28th May 1944 this crew were tasked with bombing a German Rehabilitation Camp at Bourg Leopold. This aircaft sustained minor flak damage and the pilot was able to return safely and land at East Moor airfield. This aircraft had a dorsal turret fitted.

Pilot - F/O William K Vickerman RCAF, of Sedgewic, Alberta, Canada.

Flight Engineer - Sgt Peter W E Dobson RAFVR.

Navigator - F/O Earl C Watson RCAF, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Bomb Aimer - F/O Charles Richard "Dick" Hoffman RCAF, of Lander, British Columbia, Canada.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - P/O L Michael O'Grady RCAF, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Air Gunner - Sgt Noé E J Beauchesne RCAF, of Capreol, Ontario, Canada.

Air Gunner - Sgt Frederick W Layton RCAF, of Fort Garry, Manitoba, Canada.

Mid Under Gunner - F/Sgt Jack L Shanks RCAF, of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.

A montage showing F/O Vickerman's regular crew. Credit probably to Ms Lorraine Vickerman.

On the night of 7th/8th June 1944 William Vickerman and his crew were flying in Halifax LW582 when the aircraft was probably attacked by a night-fighter, this set alight the Halifax's fuel tanks. The crew abandoned the aircraft over St.Denis le Ferment. Vickerman, Beauchesne, O'Grady and Dobson evaded capture, Hoffman and Watson were made PoW but P/O Fred Layton RCAF (J/90289) was killed, he was twenty years old and is buried in Marissel French National Cemetery, France.

Sgt Layton and his gravestone. Through searching the internet for details regarding this crew a number of documents were found, the most interesting were created by the pilot's daughter Lorraine Vickerman and much of the information shown here is collated and researched by her and displayed on various websites. Whilst not wishing to hijack her research I feel showing the basics here would let others know that further information is available. All photo credits are down to her.

William Vickerman died in 1976.
Noé Beauchesne died in 1989.
Walter Dobson died in 2005.
Not to be overlooked, the extra air gunner, P/O Jack Shanks RCAF (J/86809) was killed on 17th June 1944 when Halifax NA516 was shot down close to the Dutch coast. Part of the crew on this night were able to bale out, sadly three were killed.