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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Alan Howard Durnin

In memory of:

Pilot Officer Alan Howard Durnin

July 29, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

J/85681

Age:

23

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

408 Sqdn.

Additional Information


Born:

November 14, 1920
Vancouver, British Columbia

Enlistment:

July 10, 1941
London, Ontario

Son of E. Howard Durnin and Marcia Ellen Durnin. Nephew of Mrs. M. A. Granat, of Hamilton, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 297 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

17. D. 8.

Location:

BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY is 13 km south east of Soltau on the west side of the road from Hamburg to Hannover. From Hannover travel north in the direction of Hamburg on the Autoroute No.7 for 80 km until the junction with Soltau Sud, this is in fact the junction of the A7 with the B3 Hannover to Hamburg road. On leaving the A7 at Soltau Sud follow the B3 in the direction of Celle and Bergen. The cemetery is on the right hand side of the road, 7 Km from the motorway junction.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Crew Photo
  • Cemetery– Plot 17, Row D, Graves 4-8 - Becklingen War Cemetery … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Grave Marker– Becklingen War Cemetery … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Cemetery– Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Alan Howard Durnin is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Alan Howard Durnin 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
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram September 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Allan Durnin– P/O Al Howard Durnin, 22, from Hamilton, Ontario (Bomb Aimer)
  • Group Photo– L-R: Harold Truscott (Mid Upper Gunner), Bob Whitson (Navigator), Jack Irmie (Tail Gunner), Gordon Croucher (Wireless Operator), David Scott (Flight Engineer), Don Ryan (Pilot).
  • Group Photo– Lancaster LL687 EQ*M 'Berlin Special.' Shot down at Spreckens, Germany, July 29, 1944. All crew except Flt Eng David Scott killed.
  • Ground Crew for LL687
  • Group Photo– Dry Ditching Exercise on LL723.  L-R Harold Truscott by upper turrent, Gordon Croucher, Bob Whitson, Don Ryan climbing out of hatch, David Scott inboard wing and Al Durnin outboard wing.
  • Grave Marker– Grave marker at Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.

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