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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Kenneth Crawford

In memory of:

Flying Officer Kenneth Crawford

January 3, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

J/25081

Age:

19

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

432 Sqdn.

Additional Information


Son of William John and Winnifred A. Crawford, of Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada.

Commemorated on Page 282 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:

5. B. 12.

Location:

The BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY is in the district of Charlottenburg, 8 kilometres west of the city centre, on the south side of the Heerstrasse. From Theodor Heuss Platz in the district of Charlottenburg near the exhibition hall complex and next to the Olympic stadium, follow signs for Spandau, proceeding along the Heerstrasse. The Cemetery lies on the Heerstrasse on the left hand side of the road and 3 kilometres from Theodor Heuss Platz. Visitors should drive beyond the BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY to the traffic lights, then turn left directly onto a small one way street running parallel to the Heerstrasse. The Cemetery entrance is on this small one way road.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of Kenneth Crawford– This is Ken Crawford in his first week in the RCAF.  This was his intake photo.  It was taken from his paybook in his RCAF file in Ottawa.

Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24  via R. Whitehouse
  • Memorial– Father J P Lardie's comments as inscribed on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Flying Officer Kenneth Crawford is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Flying Officer Kenneth Crawford is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Photo of Kenneth Crawford– This is a much changed Ken Crawford.  He is not a Sgt Air Bomber and is ready for overseas.  Picture taken from pers file in Ottawa.

Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24  via R. Whitehouse
  • Photo of KENNETH CRAWFORD– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of KENNETH CRAWFORD– Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Grave Marker– Kenneth was stationed at East More Airfield near Sutton on the Forest North east from the city of York.

Kenneth flew in a Handley page Halifax Bomber which was shot down on a raid on Berlin along with fellow Canadians,

Flt Lt John Allerdyce Allen.
Sgt William Roy Collier.
Flg Off Hedley Forbes Doull.
Sgt Irenee A Joseph Dupuis.
W/O Ernest Scott. 

All six were originally laid to rest at Koethan Central Germany before being moved to Berlin where they lie side by side.
  • Cemetery– Kenneth lies next to the rest of his crew mates at peace in Berlin 1939-1945 cemetery.

Dave Morris Tadcaster England.
  • Document– This letter sent by the CO of 432 Sqdn to the Air Ministry gives most of the details of the aircraft and crew.  The pilot, J. A. Allen, was a student of Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute in Toronto before the war.  He was one of the 40 students from the school who were killed during their service.  Information is from Crawford's pers file in Ottawa.

Source: Library & Archives Canada RG 24
via R. Whitehouse
  • Document– Crawford's Service Report from #5 Air Observers School (Air Bomber). Ken did not do well as he is 16th out of 19 in the course.  is instructors comments are apt.  This was March of 1943.  

Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24  via R. Whitehouse
  • Document– This is page 2 of the #5 AOS report.  Ken has improved in the final report.  (1 Apr 43)

Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24  via R. Whitehouse
  • Document– This report dated 23 Nov 42 suggests that Ken is worth the effort and should be given another chance to prove himself.  In the end, Ken fails to make it as a pilot and is slated to be an air bomber.  See next document.

Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24  via R. Whitehouse
  • Document– The Chief Instructor at #10 Service  Flying Training School decides to give up on Ken and terminates his pilot training.  The Commander agrees and Ken is sent on to train as an A/B

Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24  via R. Whitehouse
  • Document– Source: Library & Archives Canada RG24  via R. Whitehouse

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