Robert Marks was the only RAF member of the crew of Lancaster DS837, it was common for RCAF Squadrons
that flew Halifaxes and Lancasters to operate with British flight engineers. Little is known about Robert
Marks, other than he was the son of Jewish parents Moss and Sarah Marks, of Hackney, London. He joined
the Kneale crew at 1679 Heavy Conversion Unit during their conversion to flying the Lancaster from the
twin engine Wellington. He became a fixed member of the crew and flew on every operational Lancaster flight
with Thomas Kneale when they returned to 426 Squadron. He was granted his commission on 9th November 1943
from the rank of Sgt to P/O on probation (emergency).
Twenty two year old Robert Marks died as a result of the accident at Yearsley, he was buried with other members of his crew at Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery, Yorkshire.
In the months before Robert Marks' death he had struck up a relationship with WAAF airframe fitter Miss Edna King who was stationed at Cranfield, Robert Mark was later posted north and away from her. He was due to be on leave at Christmas 1943 and his girlfriend was expecting to be visiting her. Sadly this never happened because of the accident at Yearsley and Miss King later married another gentleman. On the day of the memorial service she was completely unaware of any arrangements but contacted her cousin in Yorkshire to ask him to look into the where-abouts of Robert Marks' grave and came across these webpages. In July 2011 Edna Blunt visited the memorial at Yearsley and, for the first time in 68 years, the grave of Robert Marks.
She believed that Robert was planing to ask her to marry him at Christmas 1943 but that never happened. Her name is mentioned on the foot of his grave probably as he contacted his parents to tell them of his intentions but they never met Edna and did not realise the he had not gone through with his plans before his death. In the weeks after the memorial dedication service Edna visited Yearsley, Linton on Ouse airfield and Harrogate Stonefall Cemetery.
As the arrangements progressed for the memorial dedication Mr Smith attempted to track down Robert Marks' surviving family to invite them to attend. After using the services of a geneologist a cousin was found in Canada but after making initial contact nothing more was heard. P/O Marks therefore does have living relations but sadly none were able to attend the memorial dedication.