Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Memorial – Remembering brothers lost … Brothers In Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, BE … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022

Newspaper clipping – From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Badge – RAF #138 Badge In August 1941, No. 138 Squadron was assigned to Special Operations (SOE)and flew out of Tempsford airfield, Bedfordshire, into enemy occupied Europe by moonlight, often landing in torchlit fields, to drop SOE agents and supplies to the resistance forces. Four months later, on a return flight from France, Whitley aircraft Z9385 was shot down by a German nightfighter crashing at Stradishall airfield, Suffolk. Killed were the pilot, FS Petts, and three RAF crew members. Pilot FS Alvin W. Reimer (RCAF)was severely wounded and died of his injuries Jan. 1, 1942. All are buried at Harverill Cemetery, Suffolk, with the exception of FS Petts who is buried in St. Mary (Chalk) Churchyard, Gravesend, Kent. His brother, F/O (N) Henry Neville Petts of No. 100 (RAF) Squadron was killed May 26, 1943, and is buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen, Holland.

Memorial – Flight Sergeant John Russell Petts is 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 – Flight Sergeant John Russell Petts is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens