Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Memorial – Flight Sergeant Theodore Ian Mardon Edwards is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Flight Sergeant Theodore Ian Mardon Edwards 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 a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From a World War 2 issue of the Vancouver Province c.1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Photo of Theodore Edwards – Edwards, Theodore Ian Mardon - Flight Sergeant. Born 19th April, 1920, at Vancouver. Educated at Point Grey Junior High School and Prince of Wales High School, Vancouver. Entered the service of the Bank 10th October, 1939. Served at Vancouver city branches. Enlisted 15th April, 1941, from East Vancouver in R.C.A.F. Killed in action over Frankfurt-on-Main 3rd December, 1942, when the plane in which he was tail gunner was attacked by two German fighters. His plane was heavily loaded with incendiary bombs, and before it was brought to earth both gunners had been killed and the five other crew members had parachuted and were made Prisoners of War. Flight Sergeant Edwards was identified by his disc and given a military funeral at Laumerscheim, near Frankfurt. A letter from one of the crew reports the engagement as follows: "Mardon spoke over the inter-com. saying: 'Turn sharp right, skipper. There is a fighter on our tail.' We were hit immediately after this and the inter-com was put out of action. A few minutes later we were hit again. By this time the aircraft was blazing amidships, which made it almost impossible to get to the rear of the ship. Five of the crew then put on their 'chutes and all reached the ground. After they were taken prisoner they were told that both gunners had been badly shot up by bullets, and had died almost instantly." From a memorial booklet prepared by the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

Cemetery – Entrance - Rheinberg War Cemetery - May 2015 Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Cemetery – Cross of Sacrifice - Rheinberg War Cemetery - May 2015 Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Cemetery – Rheinberg War Cemetery - May 2015 Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Grave Marker – Grave marker - Rheinberg War Cemetery - May 2015 Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens