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In memory of:

Squadron Leader Pilot Ian Willoughby Bazalgette

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Military service

Service number: 118131
Age: 25
Rank: Squadron Leader Pilot
Force: Air Force
Unit/Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Division: 635 Squadron
Birth: October 19, 1918 Calgary, Alberta
Death: August 4, 1944

Burial/memorial information

SENANTES CHURCHYARD
Additional information
Ian Willoughby Bazalgette was the son of Charles Ian and Marion Edith (née Bunn) Bazalgette. His family moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1923 where received his early education at Balmy Beach School. Then his family moved to England and his education was completed at Rokeby, the Downs, Wimbledon and by private tutor. In September 1940 he received a commission in the Royal Artillery and the following year he transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. In the autumn of 1942 he was posted to No. 115 Squadron, R.A.F. for flying duties. In September 1943 he went to an operational training unit as an instructor and in April 1944 he was posted to No. 635 (Pathfinder) Squadron as a flight commander with the rank of Squadron Leader. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross in Italy on 9 July 1943. In 1949 a mountain in Jasper National Park was named after him. Squadron-Leader Bazalgette is buried in the military plot in Senantes Churchyard, Oise, France about twelve miles west-north-west of Beauvais. His medal is on display at the R.A.F. Hendon Museum in England. During the summer of 1990 at the Nanton Lancaster Museum in Nanton, Alberta, a plaque was unveiled by Mrs. Ethel Broderick, Ian Bazalgette's sister, and the markings of the Bazalgette aircraft (F2-T) were unveiled by Chuck Godfrey DFC, his wireless operator on the VC flight, and George Turner, his flight engineer. Flypasts included an armed forces CF-5 and an Aurora from No. 407 Squadron in Comox. Hamish Mahaddie, an RAF legend who arranged for Ian to join the Pathfinders and Larry Melling DFC, a pilot who flew with "Baz" on No. 635 Squadron were special guest speakers at the banquet. Master of Ceremonies was Duke Warren DFC.

Related media

Second World War (1939 – 1945)

In the Books of Remembrance

Commemorated on:

Page 245 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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SENANTES CHURCHYARD Oise, France

Senantes is a village 20 kilometres west-north-west of Beauvais, and 8 kilometres east of Gournay-en-Bray. The village lies on the road from Beauvais to Gournay-en-Bray. In the north-east corner of the churchyard behind the local War Memorial is the grave of one airman from the United KIngdom.

For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

 

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