Many of those listed above were flying Halifax MZ603 which was shot down over Germany with six of the eight crew being killed. Those killed are buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, they were F/O Knobovitch, F/O Orchard, F/O Anderson, P/O Harper (J/95270) and P/O Valde (J/90964). F/Sgt Kirkpatrick and F/Sgt Seeley were taken POW.

Harry Knobovitch was born on 13th January 1913 in Pinsk, Poland (now Belarus) and was the son of Iser and Itka (nee Lipska) Knobovitch (which is probably an Englishized version the surname). His parents also had two other sons and a daughter and the family moved to Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada around 1930, probably after his father had seen what was happening with the worsening Jewish situation there. In 1941 there was a massacre of upto 11,000 Jewish men of Pinsk and in 1942 all the remaining Jewish population were killed. This was a fortunate foresight by his parents back in 1930 to leave Pinsk. Harry attended school in Montreal and was working as a bookkeeper for his father when he enlisted into the RCAF in Montreal on 26th June 1942. He trained as a pilot, receiving his Pilot's Flying Badge on 27th July 1943 and a commission on the same date. He then arrived in the UK later in the year and trained at 21 (P)AFU, 1511 B.A.T.Flight, 22 OTU and 1664 HCU, being posted to 415 Squadron on 21st July 1944. As stated he died on 2nd November 1944 and was twenty one years old. He was awarded the DFC after his death and notification appeared in the London Gazette on 19th December 1944, the citation his DFC reads.. "This officer participated in many sorties and has set a fine example of skill and devotion to duty. One night in October 1944, he piloted an aircraft detailed to attack Duisburg. Long before the target was reached one engine failed completely. Undeterred Flying Officer Knobovitch continued his mission and a good bombing attack was made. When crossing the coast of France on the return flight, the wireless apparatus caught fire. The aircraft quickly became filled with smoke. Displaying great coolness Flying Officer Knobovitch directed the efforts of two crew members in extinguishing the flames. This done, he cleared the smoke out of the aircraft by turning on the heater of the defective engine. He afterwards flew the damaged aircraft to base and effected a safe landing in difficult circumstances. This officer displayed great skill and determination and provided a most inspiring captain.”

Victor Valde was born on 20th September 1924 and was the son of Lewis and Emma Valde, of Transcona, Manitoba, Canada. Prior to enlisting into the RCAF Victor Valde had worked for "The Red and White Store" and Western Steel Products. He enlisted for RCAF service on 20th January 1943 in Winnipeg and after training in Canada he was awarded his air gunners' flying badge on 23rd December 1943. On arrival in the UK he trained at 22 OTU before posting to 415 Squadron on 21st July 1944. He was involved a number of aircraft that sustained flak damage while serving with 415 Squadron at East Moor and the crash of Halifax MZ686 near East Moor airfield. Having received a commission on 13th September 1944 P/O Victor Valde was killed on 2nd November 1944 flying in Halifax MZ603 on Ops to Dusseldorf. He was twenty years old and is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany. Valde Avenue in his home town was named in his honour.

James Harper was born on 13th January 1924 in Fort William, Ontario, Canada and was the son of Lawrence Russell and Maude Isobel (nee McMillan) Harper. The family moved to Victoria, British Columbia in 1928. As a young man he worked as in a paint factory and as a car mechanic / garage attendant after leaving school. He enlisted for RCAF service in Vancouver on 25th August 1942 and after training was awarded his Wireless Operator / Air Gunner's badge on 23rd August 1943. He left for service overseas soon after and arrived in the UK on 19th September 1943, after training at 6 (O)AFU, 82 OTU and 1666 HCU he was posted to 415 Squadron on 21st July 1944. He received a backdated commission after his death to 1st November 1944.

Anthony Orchard was born on 15th February 1924 at Llandudno, Wales and was the son of Victor Stanley and Ellen Mary (nee Hattatt) Orchard. He and his family appear to have moved to Canada in the late 1930s. He worked for his father as a tailor's assistant before becoming a machinist and later working as an inspector of aircraft parts for the Bata Show Co (Munitions Division). He enlisted for RCAF service on 26th September 1942 and after training in Canada he was awarded his air navigation flying badge and a commission on 15th October 1943. On arrival in the UK he trained at 6 (O)AFU, 22 OTU and 1664 HCU before posting to 415 Squadron on 21st July 1944.

Bruce Anderson was born on 26th December 1917 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and was the son of Benjamin Wellington and Margaret Ethel (nee Jackson) Anderson. As a young man he studied mechanical engineering at technical school and was working for Ontario Hydro as a draughtsman when he enlisted into the RCAF on 21st April 1942 in Toronto. After training in Canada he was awarded his Air Bomber's badge on 17th September 1943 and received a commission on the same date. He then left for service in the UK soon after and trained at 1 (O)AFU, 23 OTU and 1664 HCU before posting to 415 Squadron on 21st July 1944 with the rest of his crew.