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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Wilbert Andrew Shoemaker

In memory of:

Pilot Officer Wilbert Andrew Shoemaker

July 26, 1942

Military Service

Service Number:

J/7035

Age:

22

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

15 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

Honours and Awards:

Distinguished Flying Cross

Additional Information

Born:

August 8, 1919
Waterloo, Ontario

Enlistment:

September 16, 1940
Hamilton, Ontario

Commemorated on Page 114 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

JONKERBOS WAR CEMETERY
Netherlands

Grave Reference:

8. G. 4.

Location:

The town of Nijmegen is 16 km south of Arnhem. JONKERBOS WAR CEMETERY is 4 km south west of Nijmegen, 1 km south of the main Grave-Nijmegen road. Folowing the A73 exit at the junction Nijmegen Wijchen taking following directions to Nijmegen along the A32b entering Nijmegen on the Graafseweg. On reaching the Industrieterrein a Commission signpost directs visitors to turn left onto the Weg Door Jonkerbos. Shortly after appears a further signpost showing the left hand turning onto Oude Mollenhutseweg. The JONKERBOS WAR CEMETERY is located on 150 metres after entering the Oude Mollenhutseweg on the right hand side of the road.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Newspaper clipping– Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Kitchener Public Library collection of World War Two Soldier Information Cards. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Kitchener Public Library collection of World War Two Soldier Information Cards. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Kitchener Public Library collection of World War Two Soldier Information Cards. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Kitchener Public Library collection of World War Two Soldier Information Cards. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram August 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram August 1942. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)– From www.airforce.ca SHOEMAKER, P/O Wilbert Andrew (J7035) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.15 Squadron - Award effective 22 July 1942 as per London Gazette dated 7 August 1942 and AFRO 1371/42 dated 28 August 1942. Born in Ontario, 1919; home in Kitchener. Former Sergeant and instructor in Scots Fusiliers of Canada; enlisted in Hamilton, 16 September 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS, No.3 EFTS, and No.1 SFTS. Posted overseas 15 September 1941. Further trained at No.10 OTU. Posted to No.19 OTU on 9 January 1942 and to No.15 Squadron on 22 April 1942. Citation: This officer captained an aircraft detailed to attack the submarine slipways at Lubeck. Despite bad weather and the strong opposition from ground defences, he attacked his objective from a height of only 500 feet. He also directed the fire of his gunners on searchlight positions and machine gun posts, several of which were put out of action. Pilot Officer Shoemaker has invariably set a high standard of skill, determination and courage.

    Details

    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) – From www.airforce.ca SHOEMAKER, P/O Wilbert Andrew (J7035) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.15 Squadron - Award effective 22 July 1942 as per London Gazette dated 7 August 1942 and AFRO 1371/42 dated 28 August 1942. Born in Ontario, 1919; home in Kitchener. Former Sergeant and instructor in Scots Fusiliers of Canada; enlisted in Hamilton, 16 September 1940. Trained at No.1 ITS, No.3 EFTS, and No.1 SFTS. Posted overseas 15 September 1941. Further trained at No.10 OTU. Posted to No.19 OTU on 9 January 1942 and to No.15 Squadron on 22 April 1942. Citation: This officer captained an aircraft detailed to attack the submarine slipways at Lubeck. Despite bad weather and the strong opposition from ground defences, he attacked his objective from a height of only 500 feet. He also directed the fire of his gunners on searchlight positions and machine gun posts, several of which were put out of action. Pilot Officer Shoemaker has invariably set a high standard of skill, determination and courage.
  • Memorial– Pilot Officer Wilbert Andrews Shoemaker is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

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    Memorial
    Memorial – Pilot Officer Wilbert Andrews Shoemaker is 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

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    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 Wilbert Andrews Shoemaker is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Pilot Officer Wilbert Andrews Shoemaker is commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Grave Marker– Photo courtesy of Frans van Cappellen, Putten, The NetherlandsStirling W-7576 was airborne 2340 25 Jul 42 from Wyton. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed 0132 at Horst (Limburg), 12 km NW of Venlo, Holland, where those killed were first buried. They have been subsequently been re-interred in the Jonkerbos War Cemetery. Also killed was RCAF F/Sgt. John C. Fitzgerald and RAF Sgt. P. D. Byrne. Four crew members were taken PoW: Sgt. D. L. Evans, RCAF, and RAF Sgts H.A.Robinson, R.J.Fletcher and G.D.G.Muir. (Source: //lostbombers.co.uk)

    Details

    Grave Marker
    Grave Marker – Photo courtesy of Frans van Cappellen, Putten, The NetherlandsStirling W-7576 was airborne 2340 25 Jul 42 from Wyton. Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed 0132 at Horst (Limburg), 12 km NW of Venlo, Holland, where those killed were first buried. They have been subsequently been re-interred in the Jonkerbos War Cemetery. Also killed was RCAF F/Sgt. John C. Fitzgerald and RAF Sgt. P. D. Byrne. Four crew members were taken PoW: Sgt. D. L. Evans, RCAF, and RAF Sgts H.A.Robinson, R.J.Fletcher and G.D.G.Muir. (Source: //lostbombers.co.uk)

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