HARDING, P/O Andrew Crawford (J16700) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.7 Squadron - Award effective 4 October 1943 as per London Gazette dated 19 October 1943 and AFRO 2322/43 dated 12 November 1943. Born in Goshen, Ontario, 25 March 1918; home there. Educated at Braeside Public School and Fitzroy Harbour Public School, as well as Kinburn Consolidated School. From September 1937 onwards he was a member of maintenance staff and Operator in Training, hydro electric plant at Chats Falls. Service with Governor Generals Foot Guards at Brockville, 22 November to 21 December 1940. Enlisted in Ottawa, 20 May 1941. To No.1 Manning Depot, 5 June 1941. To Rockcliffe (“H”), 231 June 1941. To No.1 ITS, 27 July 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 1 September 1941 when posted to No.1 Manning Depot, to No.20 EFTS, Oshawa, 13 September 1941; to No.16 SFTS, Hagersville, 8 November 1941 (Anson aircraft); graduated and promoted Sergeant, 27 February 1942. To “Y” Depot, 28 February 1942. To RAF overseas, 19 March 1942. Disembarked in Britain, 29 March 1942 and taken on strength of No.3 PRC. To No.6 (Pilots) AFU, 23 June 1942. To No.12 OTU, 14 July 1942. To No.1651 Conversion Unit, 14 October 1942. To No.214 Squadron, 19 November 1942. Commissioned 28 December 1942. To No.7 Squadron, 22 April 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 28 June 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 5 September 1943. Missing, presumed dead, 18 November 1943 (No.7 Squadron, Lancaster JA970). Medal presented by Governor General, 12 December 1944 to next of kin; RCAF photo PL-34556 shows Mrs. J. Small, Mrs. G. Harding (mother, Calcutta, Ontario) and Miss J. Small. This officer has captained bomber aircraft on sorties against many targets in Germany and Italy, obtaining some excellent photographs. He has consistently shown courage and determination in bringing his missions to a successful completion. Canadian Flying Training: Course at No.20 EFTS was 13 September to 7 November 1941 on Tiger Moths (32.50 dual, 29.10 solo on which 10.10 were on instruments; also logged 10.30 in Link. “A keen and apt pupil who learns quickly. Deportment good. Enthusiastic about flying, a steady pilot. Instrument flying above average, aerobatics above average,” (CFI seems to be one J. Weisbrod). Courses and marks as follows: Airmanship (150/200), Airframes (83/100), Aero Engines (87/100), Signals, practical (93/100), Theory of Flight (50/100), Air Navigation (171/200), Armament, oral (184/200) and as officer material marked 158/200. Placed 22nd in a class of 54. “High average pilot material, conduct and deportment good.” Course at No.16 SFTS was 10 November 1941 to 27 February 1942 on Ansons (50.15 day dual, 41.55 day solo, 6.00 night dual, 7.15 night solo. Of this, 22.45 was on instruments. Also logged 21.50 in Link. “Satisfactory on instruments. A steady, hard working pupil. Good average on general flying.” (S/L S.Y. Broadbent, Chief Flying Instructor). Also marked “average” on Formation Flying, Navigation Ability, Night Flying, Determination and Initiative, Instrument Flying, and Ability to Maintain Speed, Course and Height.” Ground courses were Airmanship and Maintenance (170/200), Armament, written (74/100), Armament, practical (72/100), Navigation and Meteorology (152/200), Signals, written (32/50), and Signals, practical (75/100). Placed 24th in a class of 51. Advanced training: Course at No.6 (Pilots) AFU was 24 June to 14 July 1942. Course was on Oxford aircraft (10.20 day dual, 14.35 day solo, three hours in Link). Course at No.12 OTU was 14 July to 22 September 1942. Flew 6.55 day dual, 4.15 at controls with a captain by day, 30.30 at controls as sole captain by day, eight hours night dual, 3.55 at controls with a captain by night, 32.30 at controls as sole captain by night. Of this total time he was on instruments for ten hours 30 minutes; also logged 12.30 in Link. Dropped 58 bombs by day and 39 bombs by night. Carried out two Infra-Red practices and two Night Photographic exercises. Graded “average” in all fields of Flying (Natural Aptitude, Skill in Landing, Airmanship, Cockpit Drill, Instrument Flying, Night Flying, Map Reading and Flying for Bombing), as well as in Distinctive Qualities (Persistence, Sense of Responsibility, Endurance, Leadership, Method, Deliberation, Initiative, Dash, Distribution of Attention, Self Control and General Assessment as a Pilot). Course at No.1651 Conversion Unit was 14 October to 1 November 1942. He was first in a Conversion Flight (3.20 day dual, 5.25 day captain, 50 minutes as second pilot, 2.25 night dual, 4.55 night as captain) before going to the Operational Flight (6.30 as captain by day, 20 minutes as second pilot by day, two hours 45 minutes as captain by night). Assessments: On 4 June 1943, he was assessed on service with No.214 Squadron, 19 November 1942 ro 22 April 1943. He had flown 457 hours 20 minutes (167.15 in previous six months) and was simply described as “An average officer who carried out his duties quietly and reliably.” Circumstances of death: His aircraft was shot down by flak near Mannheim. Witnesses reported it first as being on fire, entering a dive and crashing. The website “Lost Bombers” has the following on his loss. Lancaster JA970, No.7 Squadron (MG-N), target Mannheim, 18/19 November 1943. JA970 was originally delivered to No.97 Squadron in June 1943, transferring to No.7 Squadron in August 1943. It took part in an operation with No 7 Squadron against Hannover, 18/19 October 1943 and had a total of 96 hrs when lost. Airborne at 1713 hours on 18 November 1943 from Oakington. Crew would likely have been screened from operations had they returned from this sortie; they were F/L A.C.Harding, DFC, RCAF (killed); P/O F.A.G. Parker (killed); F/L E.J.Clement, DFC (killed); F/L J.Hough, DFC (killed); P/O T.J.P. Walsh (killed); WO1 E.G.Millidge RCAF (killed); Flight Sergeant W.C.Connor (killed).

HARDING, F/O Harold Harvie (J40921) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.625 Squadron - Award effective 15 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1291/45 dated 10 August 1945. Born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, 20 October 1923; home there (bank clerk); educated there. Enlisted in Halifax, 23 January 1943. To No.5 Manning Depot, 8 February 1943. To No.4 BGS, 8 April 1943. To No.9 Pre-Aircrew Education Detachment, 18 April 1943. To No.1 Manning Depot, 31 May 1943. To No.1 ITS, 12 June 1943. Promoted LAC, 20 August 1943. To No.4 AOS, 4 September 1943). Graduated and promoted Sergeant, 28 January 1944. To No.2 Aircrew Graduate Training School, 11 February 1944. Subsequently commissioned with effect from 28 January 1944. To “Y” Depot, 12 March 1944. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 23 April 1944, disembarking in Britain on 7 May 1944. To No.8 (Observer) AFU, 20 June 1944. To No.18 OTU, 18 July 1944. To No.625 Squadron, 1 January 1945. Missing, 10/11 April 1945; reported safe, 17 April 1945. Repatriated 18 June 1945. To No.8 OTU, 19 June 1945 for “Tiger Force” training. To Greenwood, 31 July 1945. To Halifax, 19 September 1945. Released 23 September 1945. Died 21 July 1970 as per Legion Magazine of October 1970. Cited with F/O Joseph F. Mooney (RCAF pilot, awarded DSO). Flying Officers Mooney and Harding were pilot and navigator respectively in an aircraft detailed to attack Plauen one night in April 1945. Early on the outward flight the front windscreen became badly smeared with oil owing to an external leak. Although this obscured his vision, Flying Officer Moodey flew on. A little later the starboard inner engine became defective. The propeller had to be feathered. Shortly afterwards the port outer engine had to be put out of action. Despite this, Flying Officer Mooney was determined, if possible, to reach his objective. Coming down to a much lower level and increasing his speed, he flew on. Although deprived of the full use of the navigational aids, Flying Officer Harding navigated the aircraft to the target with great skill. Whilst over the area much anti-aircraft fire was directed at the bomber. Several hits were sustained. Nevertheless, Flying Officer Mooney pressed home a most determined attack. The aircraft was losing height as he turned for home. When nearing Liege, the starboard outer engine caught fire and had to be put out of action. Height could no longer be maintained. Flying Officer Mooney gave the order to abandon aircraft and ensured that all members of his crew had got clear before he himself jumped at 500 feet. After reaching the ground, Flying Officer Mooney collected his comrades together and, within a very short time they returned safely to their unit. On this notable sortie, this officer displayed the highest standard of skill and courage, coupled with superb captaincy. Flying Officer Harding also proved himself to be a most valuable crew member showing skill, coolness and devotion to duty in the face of great difficulties. NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9086 has recommendation drafted 20 April 1945. Flying Officer Harding is the Canadian navigator of a Lancaster aircraft and has completed 21 sorties and 136 operational hours. On the night of 10/11 April he was the navigator of a crew detailed to attack Plauen. Trouble started soon after leaving base but the captain decided to carry on. Soon after crossing the Rhine one engine failed but again the captain decided to press on. 45 miles before reaching the target the port outer engine failed thus rendering part of his navigational aids unserviceable, but the captain still decided to press home his attack, and by superb navigational skill, Flying Officer Harding assisted the captain to reach the target although only at a height of 10,000 fee and enabled them to bomb with the Main Force on the Master Bomber?s instructions. During the bombing run, as was inevitable at this height, the aircraft came under intense light flak fire, sustaining numerous hits. With two moors unserviceable the captain and navigator were faced with the problem of bringing the aircraft back to base. They decided that the only possible course was to take a short route home and Flying Officer Harding succeeded in navigating this bomber between he various gun defended zones until 40 miles south of Liege when the starboard outer motor failed and with the aircraft losing height rapidly the captain decided to abandon the aircraft. By navigating his badly damaged bomber to the target and back to friendly territory, Flying Officer Harding showed great courage and magnificent skill. The position in which he found himself may well have deterred more experienced navigators but he did not let the thought of his own personal safety, in the predicament in which he found himself, upset his judgement. Flying Officer Harding by his quiet confidence at this time was largely responsible for the crew being able to return safely to friendly territory. I most strongly recommend him for an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Notes: The mission described above was on Lancaster PD204 with one 4,000-pound bomb, ten 500-pound General Purpose bombs and a Fishpond Specialist. Crew was J41167 F/O J.F. Mooney (pilot), 154862 F/O D. Rutherford, 575545 (second pilot), Sergeant R.K. Coleman (flight engineer), 1522904 Sergeant N. Fairhurst (air bomber), J40921 F/O H.H. Harding (navigator), 1090512 Sergeant G. Swainston (WOP), 1866055 Sergeant R.A. Trundle (mid-upper gunner) and 1890687 Sergeant E. Morris (rear gunner) - all safe. Assessed on 11 June 1945 by W/C E.H. Thompson, No.625 Squadron, noting he had flown about 450 hours (150 in previous six months). “A very quiet officer who has worked hard enough at the job in hand, without showing any desire to do more than is asked of him.” Training: Course at No.1 ITS was 14 June to 20 August 1943. Courses and marks as follows: Aircraft Recognition (77/100)0, Armament (85/100), Principles of Flight (121/150), Engines (90/100), Law, Discipline and Administration (55/100), Mathematics (67/100), Meteorology (90/100), Navigation (114/150) and Signals (100/100). “A quiet, rather reserved airman, not too self-confident but cool and exacting in manner. Could have worked harder at first but improved steadily near the end of the course.” Course at No.4 AOS was 5 September 1943 to 28 January 1944. All flying in Ansons (30.30 as first navigator by day, 31.25 as second navigator by day, 17.40 as first navigator by night, 19.15 as second navigator by night). Air Work marks as follows: Air Navigation, Day (278/400), Air Navigation, Night (125/200), Log Keeping (142/200), Reconnaissance (72/100), Photograophy (32/50), Meteorological Observations (48/50). Ground courses as follows: Air Navigation, Elements (139/200), Air Navigation, Theory (154/200), Air Navigation, Exercises (126/200), Meteorology (52/100), Signals, Practical (50/100), Aircraft Recognition (45/50), Reconnaissance (41/50), Photography (47/50), Armament (43/50). “Immature, ambitious and thorough.” (S/L E.R. Pounder) Course at No.8 (O) AFU had been 20 June to 17 July 1944. All flying on Anson aircraft (12.50 as first navigator by day, 11.10 as first navigator by night, 3.25 as second navigator by night). Air Work assessed under Air Navigation, Day (228/350), Air Navigation, Night (253/350), Air Navigation, Map Reading (139/200). Ground Work assessed as follows: Air Navigation Exercises (227/350), Air Navigation Test (207/300), Armament (154/200), Signals (84/150). “A very satisfactory pupil in all respects, although not particularly outstanding. Ability on ground and in air a little higher than the general average.” Course at No.18 OTU was 1 August to 6 October 1944, after which he was passed to No.11 Base. Flew 21.20 as first navigator (day), 5.30 as second navigator (day), 27.20 as first navigator (night), 11.35 as second navigator (night). Conducted 217 Gee Fixes, 14 Gee Homings, seven Loop Position Line exercises and four Loop Fix exercises. Bombing error was 295 yards average, Rated “Fair” or “Fairly Good” in the following - Chart Work, Log Keeping, Track Keeping, Timing, Gee and Use of Instruments. “This navigator just managed to reach the standard required to pass out. Is of a quiet and reserved disposition and needs to exert himself more; this has shown gradual improvement. Discipline good; has no qualities of authority or leadership”. Flew 50 hours 50 minutes at Heavy Conversion Unit with much emphasis on H2S instruction (five lectures, five bench set manipulations and eleven synthetic training sessions, plus two exercises with instructor and four on his own. Took part in two daylight cross-country exercises and two night cross-country exercises. Assessed 5.5 out of 10 as a navigator.

HARDING, P/O Milton Augustus (J18021) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.158 Squadron - Award effective 4 October 1943 as per London Gazette dated 19 October 1943 and AFRO 2457/43 dated 26 November 1943. Born in Norris Point, Newfoundland, 19 August 1918; home there. Enlisted in Halifax, 10 February 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To Trenton, 31 March 1941. To No.3 ITS, 15 May 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 1 July 1941; posted that date to No.17 EFTS. Ceased training, 20 July 1941 (13.20 dual in Finch, failed progress test; “Cannot land, no judgement of height. Overshot continually.”) Posted to Trenton. To No.2 WS, 17 August 1941; posted back to Trenton, 20 March 1942. To No.4 BGS , 28 April 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 25 May 1942. To “Y” Depot, 26 May 1942. To RAF overseas, 4 July 1942. Disembarked in United Kingdom, 18 July 1943. Posted from No.3 PRC to No.7 Air Gunner School, 18 August 1942. To No.24 OTU, 8 September 1942. To No.1658 Conversion Unit, 23 November 1942. Promote Flight Sergeant, 25 November 1942. To No.158 Squadron, 2 January 1943. Promoted WO2, 25 May 1943. Commissioned 22 June 1943. To No.91 Group, 31 July 1943. To No.22 OTU, 19 August 1943. Detached to Yatesbury, 8 September to 10 October 1943. Attached to ACRS (whatever that is), 22 November to 14 December 1943. To No.29 Group, 20 December 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 30 December 1943. Leave in Canada, 26 April to 24 June 1944. To No.61 Base, 14 July 1944.Attached to Dalton Battle School, 14-16 July 1944. Attached to No.1659 Conversion Unit, 16-29 July 1944. To No.424 Squadron, 29 July 1944. Missing (POW), 9 October 1944. Safe in UK, 27 May 1945. Repatriated to Canada via Dartmouth, 7 July 1945. Released 29 September 1945. Died 21 July 1992 in Parksville, British Columbia as per Royal Canadian Legion “Last Post” website and Legion Magazine of October 1992. // Pilot Officer Harding has now completed his first tour of operational duties. Among the missions completed by him as rear gunner have been raids on Berlin, Kiel, Essen and Dusseldorf. On many occasions his crew have encountered heavy opposition and frequently the safety of his aircraft has been largely due to the prompt and accurate manner in which Pilot Officer Harding has reported the position of enemy fighters. His skill and devotion to duty have been outstanding. // Note: The website “Lost Bombers” has details of his being made a POW. He was in the crew of Halifax MZ802 (QB-G), No.424 Squadron, 9/10 October 1944, target Bochum. This machine, named “Gallopin Gerty”, had nose-art that depicted a spectacular galloping elephant motif. There is a photograph of this art also depicting 31 mission markers and claiming three enemy aircraft shot down. This art-work was transferred after the loss of MZ802, to Halifax NR206 of No.415 Sqdn (6U-F) and re-named “Fi-Fi”. This time the elephant survived the war to be scrapped in 1945. MZ802 was airborne at 1655 hours, 9 October 1944 from Skipton-on-Swale. Cause of loss and crash-site not stated on website. Crew consisted of P/O R.O. Hunter, RCAF (killed, buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery), W/C G.A. W/C Roy, DFC, RCAF (POW; he had commanded No.424 Squadron since 15 August 1944), P/O R.O.Hunter, RCAF (killed), F/L G.A.Bumstead, RCAF (POW), F/L W.McIlhagga, RCAF (POW), F/O H.Grulkey, RCAF (POW), P/O A.J.Harvey, RCAF (POW), F/O M.A.B.Harding, DFC , RCAF (POW). Harding (POW number 8231) was held in Camp3; W/C Roy was confined to hospital due to injuries. // Directorate of History and Heritage file 181.001 D.24 has his “Loss of Bomber Aircraft” questionnaire based on interview of 29 May 1945. He stated he had flown 30 sorties as a rear gunner. Narrative as follows: // On October 9 we set course from 424 Squadron, Skipton-on-Swale at approximately 2000 hours. Weather about 8/10; when over Koln predicted flak; reported same to pilot; before we could weave another burst caught us in the port inner, wounding the pilot. WOP and Engineer tried to put the fire out. The pilot ordered us to leave the aircraft saying that he was wounded. I was caught by left leg and could not get it free so used chute to take me out of turret. Left leg was very sore and turned black, also rib broken. After two days wandering about, gave myself up to army at Koln, where I met four of my crew - Navigator, Wireless Operator, Mid-Upper and Bomb Aimer. // Notes: Out of port side of turret. Caught left foot. Left my left foot in turret (escape boot). // Training: Having failed at EFTS, he declared that he was uninterested in anything other than Air Gunner - he wanted to get overseas quickly - and was hostile to Wireless Training. This explains why his course at No.2 WS was not completed (although he flew 50minutes in Flying Classroom as First Operator, 2.45 in Flying Classroom as Second Operator, and 7.25 in two seater aircraft as sole operator). He had further declared that if he could not go aircrew he would quite the airforce and try to enlist in the most dangerous job possible (he suggested submarine service). // Course at No.4 BGS was 27 April to 25 May 1942, and Gunnery only. Battle aircraft (8.40). Fired 600 rounds on ground, 200 rounds air-to-ground, 1,600 air-to-air. Scored 4.25 percent on Beam Test, one percent on Beam Relative Speed Test, 5.16 percent on Under Tail Test. Marked 66 percent on written exam, 63 percent in Practical and Oral examination and rated 178/250 in “Ability as Firer”. Placed 13th in a class of 28. // Other Notes: On Repatriation Form dated 27 May 1945 he stated he had flown 180 operational and 400 non-operational hours. Had flown 30 sorties (the last on 9 October 1944); claimed on Ju.88 and one FW.190 destroyed. // Crew members in No.158 Squadron were J16791 - Sandgren, Harry William (Pilot, awarded DFC); R87600 - De Marco, Frank Vincent (awarded DFM); 127858 - Dobson, William; J18021 - Harding, Milton Augustus (awarded DFC); 993404 - Shaw, Philip England; 125581 - Stanyard, Frank.

STEVENS, P/O George Alfred Harding (J17321) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.50 Squadron - Award effective 6 August 1943 as per London Gazette dated 17 August 1943 and AFRO 2005/43 dated 1 October 1943. Born in Moncton, New Brunswick, 5 April 1909; home in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia. Employed for twelve years as machinery serviceman and installer of lightning rods. Enlisted in Halifax, 9 October 1940. To No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 13 October 1940. To Dartmouth, 13 November 1940. To No.1 ITS, Toronto, 14 January 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 20 February 1941 when posted to No.1A Manning Depot, Picton. To No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 19 Mach 1941. To No.1 AOS, Malton, 1 April 1941; to No.1 BGS, Jarvis, 23 June 1941; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 2 August 1941. To No.1 CNS, Rivers, 3 August 1941; graduated 1 September 1941. To “Y” Depot, 3 September 1941. To No.31 OTU, Debert, 27 September 1941. To United Kingdom, 24 October 1941. To No.25 OTU, 3 November 1941. To No.50 Squadron, 21 March 1942. To Station Swinderby, 2 June 1942. To No.50 Squadron again, 17 July 1942. Commissioned 10 March 1943. To No.16 OTU, 8 June 1943. Killed in flying accident at No.16 OTU (Wellington HE904), 28 November 1943; buried in England. Wellingtons X3923 and HE904 were tasked for night flying exercises and collided about 2235 hours. Award presented to next-of-kin by Governor General, 12 December 1944. RCAF photo PL-34568 taken at Government House, Ottawa following presentation - Mrs. G.H. Stevens (right) and friend, Mrs.L. H. Jones. Pilot Officer Stevens has an excellent record of accurate navigation. He has completed a very successful tour of operational duty during which, due to his skill, his aircraft has never sustained severe damage. The targets attacked include Essen, Berlin and Duisburg. This officer has also assisted very greatly in ground duties connected with navigation. Training: At No.1 ITS took Mathematics (85/100), Armament (77/100), Signals (92/100), Drill (85/100) and Law and Discipline (84/100). Placed 16th in a class of 24. “Vert good material for Observer. Distinct individualist. Resourceful. Applies himself well to his work. At No.1 AOS (31 March to 22 June 1941) he flew 31.55 as first navigator by day, 28.45 as second navigator by day, 5.35 as first navigator by night, 14.10 as second navigator by night. Ground courses in DR Plotting (106/150), DR and DF WT, written (167/200), Compasses and Instruments (127/150), Signals (100/100), Maps and Charts (84/100), Meteorology (85/100), Photography (67/100) and Reconnaissance (91/100). Placed 16th in a class of 45. “A good type. Har5d worker, asks questions incessantly, reliable, work is inclined to be sloppy but he understands his work. Should be considered for a commission in view of his determined attitude, after further training.” (F/L E.R. Pounder). At No.1 BGS (23 June to 4 August 1941) he flew in Battle aircraft - 19 hours 10 minutes by day in bombing and six hours 15 minutes by day in gunnery plus eight hours 45 minutes as passenger. In bombing he had an average error of 115 yards (best was 107 yards) and in low level bombing the average error was 80 yards. Scored 11.3 percent hits in Gunnery Beam Test, 6.3 percent in Beam Relative Speed Test and 11 percent Under Tail Test. Examined in Bombing, Written (120/150), Bombing, Practical (114/150), Gunnery, Written (84/100) and Gunnery, Practical (84/100). Placed 7th in a class of 38. Described overall as average. “A little careless about his appearance. Has a good mind and industrious worker. Very sincere about his job. Had the respect of his classmates throughout the course. Should make a sound observer and officer.” (G/C G.E. Wait). At No.1 ANS, course was 4 August to 1 September 1941. In air training flew 7.45 as first navigator by day, 6.30 as second navigator by day, 9.45 as first navigator by night, 9.10 as second navigator by night. In the air described as “A very untidy air worker but produces better than average results.” Ground Training courses were Astro Navigation, Plotting (95/150) and Astro Navigation, Written (76/100). Noted that he “Has an inquiring mind but inclined to forget essentials in his pursuit of minor detail.” The Commanding Officer wrote, “Sloppy appearance - this man does not impress.” Assessment: On 10 March 1943 the Commanding Officer of No.50 Squadron (W/C W.M. Russell), wrote: “This Warrant Officer is a born leader, keen, efficient and very conscientious. He has done a great deal of good for this squadron, particularly in looking after the NCOs.” Particulars of Death: Wellington HE904 was engaged in a night cross-country flight. Accident occurred at 1855 hours near Baynards Green, Oxfordshire (with Wellington X3923). Aircraft had taken off at 1850 hours and was at about 3,000 feet, but the sole survivor, 1161255 Warrant Officer A.J.Lowman (pupil pilot), could give no particulars. Crew, apart from Lowman and Stevens, were 1579284 Flight Sergeant F.V.M. Slater (pupil navigator), J23347 P/O. D.J. Arnell (second navigator), 1554346 Sergeant W. Rose (pupil air bomber), 1581096 Sergeant R. Buffham (pupil WOPAG), R186452 Sergeant W.Sayres (pupil air gunner) and R195938 Sergeant D.G. McNeil (pupil mid-upper gunner).

ANDREW CRAWFORD F/L(P) J16700 D.F.C. From Galena, Ontario. Killed in Action Nov 18143. #7 Squadron (Per Diem Per Noctum), Pathfinder Force, Lancaster aircraft #JA 970 missing over enemy territory, presumed enemy action. WO E.G. Millidge and five of the crew, not Canadians, were also killed. Flight Lieutenant Pilot Harding is buried in the War Cemetery at Durnbach, Germany.

OLIVER FS(AG) R203699. From Hodgeville, Saskatchewan. Killed in Action Feb 21/45 age 20. #625 Squadron (We Avenge). Target - Dortmund, Germany. Please see F/O W.P. Maloney D.F.C. for casualty list and flight detail. Flight Sergeant Air Gunner Harding is buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany.

REGINALD CLIFFORD P/O(P) J17338. From Kirkland Lake, Ontario. Killed in Action Aug 18/43 age 20. #44 Rhodesia Squadron (Fulmina Regis lusta). Lancaster aircraft #DV 202 failed to return from operations. P/O P. Pynisky was also killed. Five of the crew, not Canadians, missing believed killed. Pilot Officer Pilot Harding has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England.