The Écrivélo Files

Journeys Through War-Torn Europe by Bike.

The Crew

Sgt BAKER, WILFRED 932842 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Sgt Baker was a Radio Operator with 106 Squadron, he was 22 when he died.

He is buried at Lyon (La Doua) French National Cemetery

Next of Kin – Son of Frederick and Selina Elizabeth Baker, of Richmond, Surrey.

Flight Sergeant Frank Lawrence Darlington

Flight Sgt Frank Lawrence Darlington R/108258  Royal Canadian Air Force.

Flight Sgt Darlington was a Navigator with 106 Squadron, he was 23 when he died.

He is buried at Lyon (La Doua) French National Cemetery

Next of Kin – Son of Frank and Mary Coubrough Darlington, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.

Sgt Norman Burt Johnstone 948736 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Sgt Johnstone was a Flight Engineer with 106 Squadron, he was 26 when he died.

He is buried at Lyon (La Doua) French National Cemetery

Next of Kin -Son of Alexander Peterkin Johnstone and Margaret Burt Johnstone, of Edinburgh.

Flying Officer ( Air Bomber ) George Roland Powell

Flying Officer George Roland Powell 122735 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Flying Officer Powell was an Air Bomber with 106 Squadron, he was 20 when he died.

He is buried at Lyon (La Doua) French National Cemetery

Next of Kin -Son of Richard Ernest and Mabel Phyllis Powell, of Willerby, Yorkshire.

Sgt Douglas Lyall  Thompson –  R/103431 Royal Canadien Air Force.

© East Grinsted Museum

Thompson joined the RCAF in 1941 and trained as a pilot. He was a pilot with 106 Squadron and Captain of the Admiral Prune on this operation. Thompson was thrown from the wreckage and was badly burned when the plane exploded as he attempted to rescue a crewmember. POW. German Hospital, Paris (12/02/43). Frankfurt Hospital (05/43). Bad Soden Hospital (11/43). Canadian Army Hospital, Watford (16/09/44).

Thompson spent 20 months in a POW camp before being repatriated. He spent 16 months at Queen Victoria Hospital, mostly under the care of Ross Tilley.

Sgt R  P Sutton  1601271 –  Royal Air Force.

Sgt Sutton was the upper air gunner with 106 Squadron, he survived the crash with burns he ended up a Prisoner of War number 27506 in Stalag 344.

Sgt J Picken   –  Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Sgt Picken was the rear air gunner with 106 Squadron; he survived the crash, jumping from the plane by parachute.

Sgt P Ward   –  1562783 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Sgt Picken was a bombadier with 106 Squadron, he survived the crash but suffered burns. He was detained in Stalag 357 as a Prisoner of War 1166number 27