Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ron was the Lancaster bomb aimer for a 49 Sqn Bomber Command crew who formed up on DDay, they flew their 5 bombing operations later. His position in the nose of the plane meant he had to squeeze past the pilot Tommy Hawkins & Flight Engineer Ken Symonds, down into the nose of the Lancaster.

Their last bombing run of the war was a daylight one over Berchesgaden, they knew the war was over and ran to this their plane that day. On the return out of the Berchesgaden Valley they were hit by flak in number 3 engine, which was feathered by Ken and they limped back to the UK. Shortly after the crew was broken up and they returned to Australia. Ron gave Ken who was English, a plastic kangaroo he had carried with him as a good luck token during their raids. Ken kept that kangaroo right up to his death in August 2024 aged 100 and 5 days.
Ken got a comission & served 40 years in the RAF as a Sqn Ldr gaining his AFM from the Queen in the 50s. Not once would you hear about WW2 without him speaking about all of his beloved friends of this crew, right up to the year of his death.
May you all rest in peace together now.