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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Nicholas Frederick Durban

In memory of:

Pilot Officer Nicholas Frederick Durban

December 18, 1941

Military Service

Service Number:

J/15038

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

7th Squadron (Per Diem Per Noctum)

Additional Information

Commemorated on Page 29 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Surrey, United Kingdom

Grave Reference:

Panel 59.

Location:

During the Second World War more than 116,000 men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth gave their lives in service. More than 17,000 of these were members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, or Canadians serving with the Royal Air Force. Approximately one-third of all who died have no known grave. Of these, 20,450 are commemorated by name on the Runnymede Memorial, which is situated at Englefield Green, near Egham, 32 kilometers by road west of London.

The design of the Runnymede Memorial is original and striking. On the crest of Cooper's Hill, overlooking the Thames, a square tower dominates a cloister, in the centre of which rests the Stone of Remembrance. The cloistered walks terminate in two lookouts, one facing towards Windsor, and the other towards London Airport at Heathrow. The names of the dead are inscribed on the stone reveals of the narrow windows in the cloisters and the lookouts. They include those of 3,050 Canadian airmen. Above the three-arched entrance to the cloister is a great stone eagle with the Royal Air Force motto, Per Ardua ad Astra". On each side is the inscription:

IN THIS CLOISTER ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF TWENTY THOUSAND AIRMEN WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE. THEY DIED FOR FREEDOM IN RAID AND SORTIE OVER THE BRITISH ISLES AND THE LANDS AND SEAS OF NORTHERN AND WESTERN EUROPE

In the tower a vaulted shrine, which provides a quiet place for contemplation, contains illuminated verses by Paul H. Scott."

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Group Photo– (PL-4955 UK-730) 26 November 1941 - #7 Sqdn Stirling bomber, The huge Stirling bombers carrying as they do tons of bombs are proving a real threat to German supply lines. Young Canadians, members of the R.C.A.F., are playing a big part in the piloting of these ships over enemy country, and in dropping bombs on their targets with deadly accuracy. Here is a typical group of R.C.A.F. members now attached to No.7 R.A.F. bomber squadron. They are, left to right: Pilot Officer R.A. Colwell (Pilot) of 427 Dundee St., Medicine Hat, Alta., Pilot Officer N.F. Durban (Observer) of Portage la Prairie, Man.; Sgt. J.P. Lemoine, (W.O./A.G.) of Ste. Agathe, Man. , and Sgt. A.G. Coroon (W.O./A.G.) of 2118 - 18th St., Calgary, Alta

    Details

    Group Photo
    Group Photo – (PL-4955 UK-730) 26 November 1941 - #7 Sqdn Stirling bomber, The huge Stirling bombers carrying as they do tons of bombs are proving a real threat to German supply lines. Young Canadians, members of the R.C.A.F., are playing a big part in the piloting of these ships over enemy country, and in dropping bombs on their targets with deadly accuracy. Here is a typical group of R.C.A.F. members now attached to No.7 R.A.F. bomber squadron. They are, left to right: Pilot Officer R.A. Colwell (Pilot) of 427 Dundee St., Medicine Hat, Alta., Pilot Officer N.F. Durban (Observer) of Portage la Prairie, Man.; Sgt. J.P. Lemoine, (W.O./A.G.) of Ste. Agathe, Man. , and Sgt. A.G. Coroon (W.O./A.G.) of 2118 - 18th St., Calgary, Alta
  • Memorial– Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    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 Nicholas Frederick Durban is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Pilot Officer Nicholas Frederick Durban is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Nicholas Frederick Durban is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Pilot Officer Nicholas Frederick Durban is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Other– The attached painting of Uncle Nicholas with his squadron was painted by Carl Durban, Uncle Nicholas’ brother. The original painting still hangs in dad’s house where mom Joyce still lives. Along with this special painting, are a few photos of Uncle Nicholas’ flight book which was given to dad and now my son, who was named after our hero Uncle Nicholas. Forever in our hearts and memories.

    Details

    Other
    Other – The attached painting of Uncle Nicholas with his squadron was painted by Carl Durban, Uncle Nicholas’ brother. The original painting still hangs in dad’s house where mom Joyce still lives. Along with this special painting, are a few photos of Uncle Nicholas’ flight book which was given to dad and now my son, who was named after our hero Uncle Nicholas. Forever in our hearts and memories.
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper Clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me.

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me.
  • Newspaper clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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