Profile image
Military service
Service number:
J/19622
Age:
27
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
103 (R.A.F.) Sqdn
Birth:
August 3, 1916
Toronto, Ontario
Enlistment:
March 10, 1942
Toronto, Ontario
Death:
May 23, 1944
Stadlohn, Germany
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
23. C. 16.
Additional information
Son of John Wilson Charles and Violet Ann Colville Peake, of Toronto, Ontario
He served in Canada and Great Britain. He had 773 days of service, including 364 days overseas.
Additional citations
1939-1945 Star, Europe Star, Defense Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, General Service Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, operational wings.
Digital gallery of Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles
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Photo of William Charles
P/O William James Donald CHARLES, in uniform. -
Grave Marker
Grave of P/O William James Donald CHARLES -
Newspaper Clipping
The Toronto Star February 1, 1945, page 13 Details from Bomber Command daily operations: Pilot P/O Charles served in 103 (RAF) Squadron. On the night of May 22/23, 1944, he was part of a force of 361 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 3, 6 and 8 Groups which carried out the first large raid on Dortmund for a year. 18 Lancasters were lost, 4.8 per cent of the force. The RCAF Bomber Command 6 Group sent up 27 Lancasters from 408 and 419 Squadron at a loss of 24 aircrew. Other Canadian crew members on Lancaster ND 629 were: F/O (BA) L. S. Kennedy, age 25, from Chalk River, Ont. F/O (N) Owen Wright, age 28, from Ottawa, Ont. -
Newspaper Clipping
The Toronto Star February 1, 1945, page 13 -
Newspaper Clipping
Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Memorial
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles 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 -
Photo of WILLIAM JAMES DONALD CHARLES
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
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Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Cemetery
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Other
Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Telegram February 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Hamilton Spectator c.1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Hamilton Spectator c.1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Niagara Falls Evening Review November 14th 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From then Niagara Falls Evening Review. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles
Digital gallery of
Pilot Officer William James Donald Charles
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 271 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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