Profile image
Military service
Service number:
J/18182
Age:
25
Rank:
Flying Officer
Force:
Air Force
Unit/Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Division:
434 Sqdn.
Birth:
December 2, 1919
Dundalk, Ontario
Enlistment:
October 24, 1940
Toronto, Ontario
Death:
March 11, 1945
Germany
Burial/memorial information
Grave reference:
1. B. 11.
Additional information
Son of James C. and Elizabeth Copeland, of Dundalk, Ontario. Husband of Vivienne (nee Tomkins) Copeland, of Whitton, Twickenham, Middlesex, England. Father of Donna May Elizabeth. Brother of Mary Elizabeth Copeland and Pilot Officer James Coulter Copeland who died on December 6, 1944 while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Additional citations
1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, French and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp
Digital gallery of Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
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Record of Service
Thomas Donavon Copeland record -
Circumstances of Death
Account of crash by survivor. -
Report
Official report on crash. -
Grave Markers
A row of Grave Markers marking the final resting place of the 6 men killed in action in Lancaster KB834 of 434 squadron on March 11/1945 during air operations over Essen Germany. -
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
The entrance to the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery -
Grave Marker
In remembrance to F/O Thomas Donovan Copeland R.C.A.F. killed in action in Lancaster KB834 of 434 squadron March 11/1945 during air operations over Essen Germany. Only surviving crew member F/O Henri Bernard Marceau R.C.A.F. - POW who courageously completed 47 missions through 2 tours of North Africa and Europe. <br> In Remembrance To The AirCrew Of Lancaster KB834 434 Squadron, F/O T.D. Copeland, R.C.A.F.<br> F/O J. Latremouille, R.C.A.F.<br> F/LT R. Fern, R.C.A.F.<br> P/O W. Jones, R.A.F.<br> F/LT A.G. Rowe, R.C.A.F.<br> F/O G. Scott, R.C.A.F.<br> F/O H.B. Marceau, R.C.A.F. - POW <br> -
Memorial
Flying officer Thomas Donovan Copeland is commemorated on Canada's Bomber Command memorial at the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum in Nanton, Alberta. -
Memorial
Flying officer Thomas Donovan Copeland is commemorated on Canada's Bomber Command memorial at the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum in Nanton, Alberta. -
Memorial
Flying officer Thomas Donovan Copeland is commemorated on Canada's Bomber Command memorial at the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum in Nanton, Alberta. -
Aircrew Photo
The Fern crew L to R: P/O William Jones (RAF), F/LT Albert George Rowe (background), F/O Thomas D Copeland, F/LT Raymond J Fern, F/O Joe Latremouille and F/O Ben Marceau. (absent - F/O Gibson Scott)<P> Photo courtesy of the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum<P> Photo submitted for the project Operation Picture Me. -
Grave Marker
photo of grave marker courtesy of Mitch Buiting -
Memorial
Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Memorial
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star March 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star March 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Star March 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Memorial
Remembering brothers lost … Brothers In Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, BE … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022 -
Newspaper clipping
From the Toronto Telegram April 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Owen Sound Sun Times March 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Owen Sound Sun Times March 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me -
Newspaper clipping
From the Owen Sound Sun Times December 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
Digital gallery of
Flying Officer Thomas Donovan Copeland
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 505 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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