Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Document – Report from RAF Missing Research and Enquiry Service to the Air Ministry on 28 SEpt. 1945, referencing a report of a Lancaster (ME650) crashing in the Skarrild district of Denmark on the night of 26/27 August 1944. Locals describe a large bomber moving west to east at low altitude on fire, exploding in the air. All aboard were killed. The Germans left the bodies in the field for two days until a local personage complained to the authorities and requested permission to bury them. He was give three hours. All the bodies were collected and placed into two large coffins and interred in the local church yard. Source: Library and Archives Canada, RG24 section via Capt. R. W. Whitehouse CA(M) ret'd

Document – Report from RAF Missing Research and Enquiry Service to the Air Ministry on 28 SEpt. 1945 pg 2 Page 2 gives information about the crashed aircr4aft for the purposes of identifcation from RAF records. Number on tail was" ME650". Wingtip number found was "Type 683, DWEV.2P4581 Capacity M.V.A. 495" With this information the RAF records section could identify the aircraft and therefore the crew. All were located and identified by this means. Source: Library and Archives Canada, RG24 section via Capt. R. W. Whitehouse CA(M) ret'd

Memorial – Pilot Officer Wilfred James Fingland is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Pilot Officer Wilfred James Fingland 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

Id Card – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of WILFRED JAMES FINGLAND – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Photo of WILFRED JAMES FINGLAND – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Letter – Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star September 1943. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star October 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star October 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star September 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Star October 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram September 1945. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

Newspaper Clipping – Source: Globe and Mail September 30, 1944

Newspaper Clipping – Source: Globe and Mail September 30, 1944

Group photo – Seated L to R F/Sgt Burton McLaughlin RCAF, F/O Evelyn George William Bowers, Pilot Officer Wilfred James Fingland RCAF Standing: Sergeant Guy Raymond Stott, Warrant Officer William John Carrier RAAF, Sergeant Leslie Thompson, Sergeant Alan Ambrose Michael Langridge Submitted for the project: Operation Picture Me

Photo of Wilfred Fingland – Submitted for the project: Operation Picture Me

Cemetery – Photo and excerpt of story from Airwar Over Denmark www.flensted.eu.com and used with permission of Soren Flensted. Lancaster I ME650 of 630 (RAF) Sqn. took off from East Kirkby at 19:58 on a raid to Königsberg. On the return flight ME650 was attacked by a night fighter and at 04:15 hours it crashed in a field at Sønder Grene near Skarrild. The bodies of the crew were taken by horse drawn carriage to a grave prepared in the Skarrild churchyard cemetery and placed in two coffins for burial. Vicar Henrik Ingerslev officiated at the graveside ceremony. The Germans allowed the 40-50 attending Danes to sing one hymn. Before the end of the day the grave was covered with flowers. The crew were: P/O (BA) B. McLauchlin of St. Catharines and P/O (N) W. J. Fingland of Toronto; also WO W. J. Carrier RAAF; F/L E. G. W. Bowers RAF; and RAF Sgts. A. A. M. Langridge, G. R. Stott, and L. Thompson.

Cemetery – Each year on the evening of 5/5 on the day of the liberation of Denmark a ceremony is held at Skarrild Cemetery in honour of the flyers. Photo of memorial after the 2005 ceremony courtesy of www.flensted.eu.com