Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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 Donald Clifford Tonkin is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Pilot Officer Donald Clifford Tonkin is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Photo of DONALD CLIFFORD TONKIN – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Service Book – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Correspondence – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Correspondence – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Attestation paper – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Attestation paper – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star January 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star January 1945. 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 Toronto Telegram October 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Grave Marker – Operation Lohausen airfield Dusseldorf December 24, 1944 408 Squadron Operational Record Book. Linton-on-Ouse, December 24, 1944. Sixteen Halifax aircraft of this Squadron were detailed to attack Dusseldorf/Lohausen airfield. All aircraft took off. Thirteen aircraft claimed to have attacked the target between 1450.5 and 1457.5 hours from between 15 to 18,500 feet. Two aircraft abandoned the mission due to engine trouble. One aircraft NP781 “U” failed to return from this operation and nothing has been heard of, or from this aircraft since take off time. All crews were unanimous in the decision that this attack was successful and very concentrated. Ground defences consisted of heavy flak bursting between 16 to 18,500 feet. A number of our aircraft were damaged by flak. All aircraft were diverted to Earls Colne, Essex. England. Crew of Halifax Aircraft NP781 EQ-U Pilot, Canadian J37475 Flying Officer Dunwoodie W H – POW Navigator Canadian J ? Flight Lieutenant Friker W L - KIA Air Bomber, Canadian J38411 Flying Officer Kellar D G.- KIA Wireless Operator, Canadian R212809 Flight Sergeant Tonkin D C. - KIA Mid Upper Gunner, Canadian R88187 Flight Sergeant Chiasson J A – POW Rear Gunner, Canadian R274509 Flight Sergeant D’Amour G R- KIA - KIA Flight Engineer, Canadian R208171 Flight Sergeant Allan W B - KIA Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, WR Chorley, Loss of Aircraft and Crew WR Chorley, Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War. Volume 5 1944, 408 Squadron Halifax VII. NP781 EQ-U failed to return from an Operation on Lohausen Airfield

Details of the Crash