Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of WILLIAM ALEXANDER LAMB – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of WILLIAM ALEXANDER LAMB – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Document – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Group Photo – Photo of aircrew. L to R: Slater, Lamb, Brown, Srigley, Boyce, Toomey, unknown. Photo provided by R. E. Toomey to Air War Over Denmark www.flensted.eu.com Used with permission.

Group Photo – Left to right, RCAF 428 squadron, Lancaster X KB751 NA/Q crew: Robert Boyce, Vancouver, Wireless Operator William Lamb, Hamilton, Mid Upper Gunner Robert Toomey, Ottawa, Flight Engineer unknown spare pilot Gordon Srigley, Vancouver, Tail Gunner Harry “Slats” Slater, Toronto, Bomb Aimer Pilot William Fairgrieve is believed to have taken photograph. Via Toomey’s collection. Robert Toomey was the only survivor of crash of KB751 near Sejero, Denmark. Sgt. Toomey taken prisoner to Stalag Luft VII, August 19, 1944.

Group Photo – Crew of Lancaster KB751 who perished August 17, 1944. Photo by Sgt Robert E. Toomey, Flight Engineer who was only survivor and taken prisoner on the Danish island Sejero. *** From left: Harry Slater (Bomb Aimer), Robert R. Boyce (Wireless Operator), William A. Lamb (Mid-upper Gunner), Leonard G. Brown (Navigator), William C. Fairgrieve (Pilot), Joseph Ralph Gordon Srigley (Tail Gunner). Crewmate Robert E. Toomey (Flight Engineer) was sole survivor. *** Submitted by Claude D. Lafleur, son-in-law of Robert Toomey. Credit "Wartime Diary of Robert E. Toomey" website.

Newspaper Clipping – Source Hamilton Spectator August 21, 1944

Newspaper Clipping – Source Hamilton Spectator July 19, 1945

Memorial – Pilot Officer William Alexander Lamb is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Pilot Officer William Alexander Lamb is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Runnymede Memorial – Photo of Runnymede Memorial CWGC Extract of story of crash courtesy Air War Over Denmark www.flensted.eu.com Lancaster X KB751 of 428 Sqn was on the return flight of a bombing mission to Stettin, Germany when it crashed in the sea south west of the island of Sejrø 17/8 1944. F.Sgt. R. G. Toomey was the only member of the crew to survive. The outbound trip went according to schedule, and the bomb load was dropped at approximately 01:20 hours and Pilot F/O William C. Fairgrieve headed back to base. After about 50 minutes Bomb Aimer F/O Harry Slater, who was throwing out 'windows', called on the intercom: 'Skipper, there is a vertical light off to port'. Next there was a terrific crashing noise and the Lancaster started burning. Apparently they had been attacked by a German night fighter. P. O. Slater was the first to bail out while Flt. Engr. R. E.Toomey tried to reach W/op Robert R. Boyce on the intercom before bailing out himself At 02:16 the Lancaster crashed into the sea 2 miles at 190 degree from Sejrø lighthouse. Toomey blacked out when leaving the aircraft, and woke up in the water without harness or chute being held up by his Mae West. He swam in the direction of the lighthouse and entered the island of Sejrø at Lydebjerg. Later, he was later taken Prisoner of War. During the day of 17/8 the dead body of F/O Fairgrieve was retrieved from the sea south west of Sejrø lighthouse On 30/8 Tail gunner F/O Joseph R. G. Srigley was found washed ashore on Veddinge Strand beach on the island of Sjælland. On 2/9 1944 the body of F/O Harry Slater was found washed ashore on the island of Getterön on the Swedish west coast near Varberg. He was laid to rest in Varberg Church`s New Cemetery with full military honours. Mid upper gunner F/S William A. Lamb, W/Op Sgt Robert R. Boyce and Navigator F/O Leonard G. Brown have no known graves and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.