Canadian Virtual War 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 – Squadron Leader Pilot William Roy Greenslade is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Memorial – Squadron Leader Pilot William Roy Greenslade is also commemorated on the Bomber Command Memorial Wall in Nanton, AB … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Newspaper clipping – From the Calgary Herald. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Photo of William Greenslade – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) – Citation GREENSLADE, S/L William Roy (45202) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.149 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette dated 21 August 1942. Air Ministry Bulletin 7848 refers. One night in July 1942 this officer was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Hamburg. Whilst over the target the aircraft was held in the beams of searchlights and subjected to heavy anti-aircraft fire. One engine was put out of action and the astro hatch shattered. In spite of this Flight Lieutenant Greenslade pressed home his attack. On the return flight searchlight positions and gun emplacements were machine-gunned from a low level. This officer, who invariably completes his operational tasks with skill and determination, displayed great devotion to duty throughout. A.F.C. citation: GREENSLADE, S/L William Roy (45202) - Air Force Cross - No.21 OTU - awarded as per London Gazette dated 11 June 1942. Public Records Office has citation as presented to Air Ministry Honours and Awards Committee; rank given as Flight Lieutenant when recommended. At present Flight Lieutenant Greenslade is flight commander in the Navigation Flight and performs his duties with great efficiency. During his period of instructing he has performed over 1,000 landings with pupils without any serious mishap. During the past six months, Flight Lieutenant Greenslade has performed 256 hours flying by day and 102 hours by night. Mention in Despatches - awarded as per London Gazette dated 1 January 1942.

Grave Marker – Photo courtesy of Frans van Cappellen, Putten, The NetherlandsS/L Greenslade, age 29, was from Youngstown, Alberta. He had completed sixty-three operations serving in the RAF, been Mentioned in Despatches, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Force Cross. He narrowly escaped death over Hamburg July 1942 (Under a Bomber's Moon by Stephen Harris, Chapter 8). Stirling aircraft R9167 went down during a trip over Krefeld, Germany. The crew were airborne 1906 2Oct42 from Lakenheath and hot down by a night-fighter, crashing 2132 at Kronenberg (Limburg) 13 km WNW of Venlo, Holland, where the crew were initially buried. They have been subsequently re-interred in Jonkerbos War Cemetery. RCAF Sgt. (B) Robt. F. McIntyre and non-Canadian crew were also killed. They were: Sgts M.K.Smith, F.L.Hughes, E.L.Moore, B. F. Goldsmith and F/S W.Orange. (Source: //lostbombers.co.uk)

Short Stirling R 9167 – This is a photo of the with code OJ-N which crashed in Kronenberg (Municipality Sevenum) on October 2nd 1942 and caused the death of William Roy Greenslade and his crew. On October 7th of this year 2017 a memorial will be unveiled on the spot of the crash. Twelve family members of Roy Greenslade, amongst them his youngest brother, will attend the ceremony.

Memorial – Memorial for the crew of Squadron Leader / Pilot William Roy Greenslade's Short Stirling R9167 with call code OJ-N in Kronenberg - The Netherlands. The aircraft crashed in Kronenberg after it was shot down by a German night fighter. All seven crew members died in the crash including William Roy Greenslade. The memorial was unveiled on October 7th 2017.