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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Richard Gainford Askew

In memory of:

Flying Officer Richard Gainford Askew

July 25, 1944
Overseas, France

Military Service

Service Number:

J36378

Age:

21

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

69 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

Additional Information

Born:

March 12, 1923
Briercrest, Saskatchewan

Enlistment:

October 29, 1942
Regina, Saskatchewan

Son of Edward and Mary Agnes Askew, of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Commemorated on Page 239 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
Calvados, France

Grave Reference:

VIII. F. 22.

Location:

The town of Bayeux, in Normandy, lies 24 kilometres north-west of Caen. Bayeux War Cemetery is situated in the south-western outskirts of the town, on the by-pass Rue de Sir Fabian Ware. Bayeux is an ancient and historic town of Normandy. Its cathedral was the seat of Bishop Odon, half-brother of William the Conqueror, who took part in the invasion of England; and in it is the tomb of an English soldier of the Hundred Years' War. Bayeux was the first French town of importance to be liberated from the Germans in June 1944. On the opposite side of the road stands the Bayeux Memorial to 1,803 men of the land forces who died in the fighting in Normandy and in the advance to the River Seine, and have no known grave.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial Bar– Memorial Bar forwarded by Minister of Veterans Affairs

    Details

    Memorial Bar
    Memorial Bar – Memorial Bar forwarded by Minister of Veterans Affairs
  • Certificate– Certificate of Baptism

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    Certificate
    Certificate – Certificate of Baptism
  • Letter– A letter from Richard to his sister Dorothy (Askew) Hamilton wishing her a Merry Christmas.

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    Letter
    Letter – A letter from Richard to his sister Dorothy (Askew) Hamilton wishing her a Merry Christmas.
  • Photo of Richard Gainford Askew– A photo of Richard given to his sister Dorothy (Askew) Hamilton. His inscription on the bottom reads "My Darling Dot, Love as always, Dick".

    Details

    Photo of Richard Gainford Askew
    Photo of Richard Gainford Askew – A photo of Richard given to his sister Dorothy (Askew) Hamilton. His inscription on the bottom reads "My Darling Dot, Love as always, Dick".
  • Photo of Richard Gainford Askew– A photograph of Richard Gainford Askew. His memory lives on through the stories told of his zest for life. We honour him for his incredible bravery in the defence of his country.

    Details

    Photo of Richard Gainford Askew
    Photo of Richard Gainford Askew – A photograph of Richard Gainford Askew. His memory lives on through the stories told of his zest for life. We honour him for his incredible bravery in the defence of his country.
  • Group Photo– Richard Gainford Askew and Ken Bates. The photograph was taken at Bournemouth, England in 1943. A book, Bournemouth and the Second World War 1939 - 1945, written by M.A. Edgington describes the history of the region and mentions Canadians who were in this town during the war.

    Details

    Group Photo
    Group Photo – Richard Gainford Askew and Ken Bates. The photograph was taken at Bournemouth, England in 1943. A book, Bournemouth and the Second World War 1939 - 1945, written by M.A. Edgington describes the history of the region and mentions Canadians who were in this town during the war.
  • Grave marker– Cross at the grave of Flying Officer Richard Gainford Askew.

    Details

    Grave marker
    Grave marker – Cross at the grave of Flying Officer Richard Gainford Askew.
  • Letter– Document enclosed with medals issued.

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    Letter
    Letter – Document enclosed with medals issued.
  • Photo of Richard Gainford Askew

    Details

    Photo of Richard Gainford Askew
    Photo of Richard Gainford Askew
  • Photo of RICHARD GAINFORD ASKEW– Photograph taken in Saskatchewan by Richard Gainford Askew as part of his training in the R.C.A.F..

    Details

    Photo of RICHARD GAINFORD ASKEW
    Photo of RICHARD GAINFORD ASKEW – Photograph taken in Saskatchewan by Richard Gainford Askew as part of his training in the R.C.A.F..
  • Photo of RICHARD GAINFORD ASKEW– Photograph taken by Richard Gainford Askew identified as S.W. Portage as part of his training with the R.C.A.F..

    Details

    Photo of RICHARD GAINFORD ASKEW
    Photo of RICHARD GAINFORD ASKEW – Photograph taken by Richard Gainford Askew identified as S.W. Portage as part of his training with the R.C.A.F..
  • Training– Photograph taken by Richard Gainford Askew, identified as "Water tower on the Assiniboine River". Part of his training for the R.C.A.F..

    Details

    Training
    Training – Photograph taken by Richard Gainford Askew, identified as "Water tower on the Assiniboine River". Part of his training for the R.C.A.F..
  • Training– Photograph taken by Richard Gainford Askew as part of his training for R.C.A.F. and identified by him on the back of the photo in clear, meticulous handwriting as "Bridge over Assiniboine River between Portage and #7 A.O.S..

    Details

    Training
    Training – Photograph taken by Richard Gainford Askew as part of his training for R.C.A.F. and identified by him on the back of the photo in clear, meticulous handwriting as "Bridge over Assiniboine River between Portage and #7 A.O.S..
  • Letter– A letter from the R.C.A.F. to Richard Gainford Askew's father, Edward Askew.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – A letter from the R.C.A.F. to Richard Gainford Askew's father, Edward Askew.
  • Letter– Letter dated May 5, 1945, returning Richard Gainford Askew's school records to his father, Edward Askew.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – Letter dated May 5, 1945, returning Richard Gainford Askew's school records to his father, Edward Askew.
  • School Records– Richard Gainford Askew's school records submitted to the R.C.A.F. at the time of enlistment, demonstrating a proficiency in mathematics and sciences.

    Details

    School Records
    School Records – Richard Gainford Askew's school records submitted to the R.C.A.F. at the time of enlistment, demonstrating a proficiency in mathematics and sciences.
  • Newspaper Clipping– The newspaper announcement: "Previously Missing on Active Service, Now for Official Purposes Presumed Dead" Askew, Richard Gainford, FO., J36378; Mr. Edward Askew (father), 511 Ominica St. East, Moose Jaw. Tattered, anguished. Over the decades this scrap of newsprint has travelled all across Canada with the family of (Dick) R.G. Askew as they relocated for various reasons. It passed from hand to hand and across generations, a fragile link between the past and present, a symbol of "Lest We Forget" .

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – The newspaper announcement: "Previously Missing on Active Service, Now for Official Purposes Presumed Dead" Askew, Richard Gainford, FO., J36378; Mr. Edward Askew (father), 511 Ominica St. East, Moose Jaw. Tattered, anguished. Over the decades this scrap of newsprint has travelled all across Canada with the family of (Dick) R.G. Askew as they relocated for various reasons. It passed from hand to hand and across generations, a fragile link between the past and present, a symbol of "Lest We Forget" .
  • Letter– Letter informing Edward Askew, the father of Richard Gainford Askew, of the return of Richard's personal effects.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – Letter informing Edward Askew, the father of Richard Gainford Askew, of the return of Richard's personal effects.
  • Letter– A letter dated 21 August 1945 and addressed to Edward Askew, father of Richard Gainford Askew explaining that his son was "Presumed American" when he and his crew were buried on July 25th, 1944. The letter explains that enquiries were being made to the USA concerning re-internment and as information became available it would be passed on.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – A letter dated 21 August 1945 and addressed to Edward Askew, father of Richard Gainford Askew explaining that his son was "Presumed American" when he and his crew were buried on July 25th, 1944. The letter explains that enquiries were being made to the USA concerning re-internment and as information became available it would be passed on.
  • Letter– A letter dated 27th November, 1945 addressed to Edward Askew, the father of Richard Gainford Askew, acknowledging receipt of his letter concerning his son. It states that no further information is available on the death or place of burial of FO / R.G. Askew. It mentions the military and civilian efforts undertaken to locate all personnel and outlines some of the difficulties in gathering information on crashed aircrafts. It reassures that information will be passed on as soon as possible and extends sympathy for the loss of his son.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – A letter dated 27th November, 1945 addressed to Edward Askew, the father of Richard Gainford Askew, acknowledging receipt of his letter concerning his son. It states that no further information is available on the death or place of burial of FO / R.G. Askew. It mentions the military and civilian efforts undertaken to locate all personnel and outlines some of the difficulties in gathering information on crashed aircrafts. It reassures that information will be passed on as soon as possible and extends sympathy for the loss of his son.
  • Newspaper Clipping– A poem written by Margaret Complin of Regina and published in a local newspaper as a tribute to the Air Force was modified slightly with some handwritten words by one of Richard Gainford Askew's family members to make it more relevant to Richard's experience. The poem was saved along with other memorabilia about Richard.

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – A poem written by Margaret Complin of Regina and published in a local newspaper as a tribute to the Air Force was modified slightly with some handwritten words by one of Richard Gainford Askew's family members to make it more relevant to Richard's experience. The poem was saved along with other memorabilia about Richard.
  • Letter– A letter dated 18th December, 1945 to Edward Askew, father of Richard Gainford Askew informing him that his son Richard Gainford Askew was re-interred at the cemetery at Bayeux, France.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – A letter dated 18th December, 1945 to Edward Askew, father of Richard Gainford Askew informing him that his son Richard Gainford Askew was re-interred at the cemetery at Bayeux, France.
  • Letter– Page 2 of letter dated 18th December 1945.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – Page 2 of letter dated 18th December 1945.
  • Memorial card– Gratitude and Remembrance, Government and people of Canada

    Details

    Memorial card
    Memorial card – Gratitude and Remembrance, Government and people of Canada
  • Letter of Condolonces– Note from Canadian High Commission, London, England to Edward Askew, father of Richard Gainford Askew, expressing concern and sympathy that Richard is missing.

    Details

    Letter of Condolonces
    Letter of Condolonces – Note from Canadian High Commission, London, England to Edward Askew, father of Richard Gainford Askew, expressing concern and sympathy that Richard is missing.
  • Letter– Note from Minister of Veterans Affairs

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    Letter
    Letter – Note from Minister of Veterans Affairs
  • Letter of Condolonces– Condolences from Buckingham Palace

    Details

    Letter of Condolonces
    Letter of Condolonces – Condolences from Buckingham Palace
  • Letter– Letter from R.C.A.F. dated April 9, 1947 sending Operational Wings.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – Letter from R.C.A.F. dated April 9, 1947 sending Operational Wings.
  • Operational Wings– R.C.A.F. Operational Wings, "in recognition of the gallant services rendered by Flying Officer Richard Gainford Askew.

    Details

    Operational Wings
    Operational Wings – R.C.A.F. Operational Wings, "in recognition of the gallant services rendered by Flying Officer Richard Gainford Askew.
  • Entrance

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    Entrance
    Entrance
  • Grave marker

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    Grave marker
    Grave marker

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