| Notes |
- Devereaux, FG, Pilot Officer P/O, Pilot RCAF Military Identiy # J19592 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was killed during a raid on Leopoldsbourg, Belgium. Two RCAF Halifax aircraft LV831 and MZ925 took off from Leeming England on the mission and crashed into each other over the skies of Belgium at 2:30 am morning of 28 May 1944. Both crews 7 personnel in each aircraft total 14 perished.
- At the General Cemetery in Baisy-Thy, Genappe Municipality, are three Commonwealth war graves from World War II. All three victims died on May 28, 1944. There is something very special with these graves, because here were originally 14 graves. These were the graves of two complete crews of Halifax bombers. After the war, 11 casualties were transferred to the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Heverlee, and three airmen were left behind in Baisy-Thy Communal Cemetery:
Pilot Officer (Pilot) Frank Gerrard Devereaux, J/19592, age 22 Royal Canadian Air Force(RCAF),
Pilot Officer (Air Gnr) Lloyd Kirton, J/88776, age unknown, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and
Sergeant (Air Gnr.) Richard Edwards, 1853863, age 31 Royal Air Force (RAF)
On May 27, 1944 left at 2331 hrs and 2347 hrs from Leeming airbase, the Halifax LV831 and the Halifax MZ295. Both with the same mission, namely an attack on a German military base in Leopoldsburg. Following a mid-air collision between the two Halifax bombers, the two aircraft crashed down Baisy-Thy area. All crew members (14) died and were originally buried in Baisy-Thy Communial Cemetery.
With gratitude to the Source for Text: Paul and Anneke Moerenhout. and Photos: Anneke Moerenhout. God bless you for your work.
- Link to grave of P/O FG Devereaux RCAF died 28 May 1944 http://en.tracesofwar.com/article/18777/Commonwealth-War-Graves-Baisy-Thy.htm
- Please note that the Stars and Medals listed and shown for Pilot Officer Frank Gerrard Devereaux RCAF are those he probably would have been entitled to. However due to War time circumstances, some Stars and Medals may have not been presented. In addition They may have been lost over the years as well. I believe that there maybe a possibility that these medals could be replaced, if requested by an immediate family member from Veterans Affairs. Your local Legion Services Officer may be a good place to start.
- Souvenons nous! We will remember you all! Royal Canadian Air Force WW II
Aircraft LV831 Heavy Bomber Halifax III Gutsy Gerty 427 Squadron #6 Air Group
Rank First name Surname Military ID # Position
P/O Frank Gerrard Devereaux J19592 RCAF Pilot, buried in Baisy-Thy Communal Cemetery, Belgium.
P/O Norman David Lesley Stephenson J86797 RCAF Navigator, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
F/O Roy Douglas Ford J27225 RCAF Bomber, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
Sgt Basil Roach no data RAF Flight Engineer, UK, 427 RCAF Sqdn son of Walter Ernest & Maud E. Roach, Ruislip, Middlesex, England, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
P/O John Francis Brown J86751 RCAF Wireless Air Gunner, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
Sgt Richard Edwards no data RAF Air Gunner, 427 RCAF Sqdn, son of Richard & Annie Edwards, Holyhead, Anglesey, England, buried in Baisy-Thy Communal Cemetery, Belgium.
P/O Kenneth Lorne Patience J88720 RCAF Air Gunner, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
Aircraft MZ295 Heavy Bomber Halifax III 429 Squadron #6 Air Group
Rank First name Surname Military ID # Country
P/O Carmen Vincent Ross J187240 RCAF Pilot, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
429 Sqdn Age 23 son of Gordon W & Alice M Ross, White Rock, BC, Canada, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery in Belgium.
P/O Elmer Lincoln Bailey J90239 RCAF Navigator,buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
F/O Moses Rabovsky J28696 RCAF Bomber 429 Sqdn, Age 26 son of Nathan & Goldie Rabovsky, Owen Sound, ON, Canada, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium. buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
Sgt Norman Hornby no data RAF Flight Engineer, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
P/O Bruce Dunlop J88861 RCAF Wireless Air Gunner, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
P/O Paul Everett Coltman J90922 RCAF Air Gunner, buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium.
P/O Lloyd Kirton J88776 RCAF Air Gunner, buried in Baisy-Thy Communal Cemetery, Belgium.
-----------------------------------------------------------
P/O Pilot Officer
F/O Flying Officer
Sgt Sergeant
RCAF Royal Canadian Air Force (Canada).
RAF Royal Air Force (England)United Kingdom.
RAFVR Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve (England) United Kingdom.
Crashed at 2:30 am (0230 hrs) on 28 May 1944.
- Page 9 Unofficial translation from French to English.
Below is a table listing the various Air Groups and Squadrons taking part in these Missions. (4)
Groups, Units, Number of Aircraft engaged and Aircraft types
Of these, eight aircraft returned prematurely without dropping their bombs on the target. Fourteen other bomber aircraft were lost.
This time, meteorological conditions were better and a Mosquito Pathfinder equipped with a navigational apparatus (Oboe), marks the target with precision.
The total tonnage of bombs dropped by all air groups is unknown. Nevertheless, we know that the four-engine 149 6th Group presented themselves between 2500-4000 meters above sea level and discharged 540 tons of bombs. (5)
The damages inflicted on the Camp are important. In addition to the barracks severely affected by the bombs, more then two hundred soldiers (some of the Kriegsmarine (Nazi Germany Navy)) are killed. They will be buried in a common grave. Civilian casualties was limited to about twenty persons. (6)
Let us reflect now about the hours before the attack.
Two Crews of Many
Several airmen slept in their respective aircraft, with apprehension that only can be guessed. In each four-engine bomber (Halifax, Lancaster) taking up a crew of usually seven qualified aviators and each having their particular function. As well these young men represented a fine example of integrity in terms of nationhood, religion and professionalism.
Note 4. LONCKE, Peter, Leopoldsburg 12 & 28 Mat 1944: Bomber Command for your freedom and yours.
Note 5. http://www.rcaf.com/6group/May 44/May 27-2844.html
Note 6. LONCKE, Peter, Leopoldsburg 12 & 28 Mat 1944: Bomber Command for your freedom and yours.
Page 10 Unofficial translation from French to English
The Air Base at Leeming, England in Yorkshire in the North of England housed two Canadian Units: 427 (Lion) Squadron and 429 (Bison) Squadron belonging to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) from Canada but under the operating under the command of the Royal Air Force (RAF).
The flight crew of both 427 and 429 Squadrons were essentially composed of Canadian aviators. These two Squadrons engage their devices in Camp Beverlo. For over a year they are equipped with four-motor Heavy Bomber aircraft of British design; the Handley Page Halifax aircraft.
Among the 28 Halifax aircraft that 427 Squadron sends to Beverlo includes the crew of Pilot Officer (P/O) Frank Devereaux. This is his 12th Mission.
The 429 Squadron participated in the raid commitment of 18 Bombers. The crew of Pilot Officer (P/O) Vincent Ross performing tonight his 10th mission. Soon the two crews will reconnoitre their destiny.
The Crew of Pilot Officer (P/O) Frank Gerrard Devereaux - Operational Experience
On 12 Mar 1944, two crews freshly trained arrive at the Air Base in Leeming are those of P/O Devereaux and P/O H. Purvis. These 14 airmen have just completed their training on Four-engine aircraft at 1659 (Canadian) (RCAF)Heavy Conversion Unit (CU) Royal Air Force (RAF).
Page 11 - Unofficial translation from French to English.
Reading the Log-Books of the pilot and the Bombardier (Bomber) (7) we can reconstruct the route and the operational missions carried out by P/O Devereaux and his crew.
The comments in italics are those of the recorders during the debriefings and transcribed in the Operational Record Book of 427 Squadron RCAF (8)
The first flight of the crew from Leeming, England was conducted on 14 Mar 1944 was like a local flight allowing the airmen to familiarize themselves with the geography of the area. On this occasion with Squadron Leader (S/L) Laird Pilot of Halifax III (Y), P/O Devereaux achieved his ratings. The flight takes 1 hr 15 minutes.
Flights of training took place on the 17th (2.50 hrs/min) on the 22nd (1.20) and 25 Mar, 1944 (3.45).
The 1st Mission. Crew assignments performed their first mission on the 26 Mar 1944 over the City of Essen, Germany, in the Ruhr Basin.
P/O Devereaux took off at 1950 hrs (7.50 pm) in command of Halifax III aircraft , serial number LW 789. This flight posed no problems until 0115 hrs (1.15 am). The comment ? postponement of the conclusion of the mission in the Operational Record Book (ORB) is rather laconic, abundant clouds but the bombing was very effective.
The 2nd Mission Took place on 30 Mar 1944. The target for the Halifax III (LW902) crew is the City of Nuremberg, Germany. The crew takes off at 2205 hrs (10.05 pm) on 31 Mar 1944. Duration of flight 6.10 to 8.05 hours. Bombing performed. The crew of Squadron Leader (S/L) Laird is identified in the raid.
On 5 Apr, 1944, the crew go airborne to enable gunners to train air-to-air action. Crew lander at 1400 hrs (2 pm) . Flight duration 30 minutes on Halifax III (LW902)
The 3rd Mission On 9 Apr 1944, target rail centre of Villeneuve-St.-George near Paris, France. Takeoff at 2035 hrs (8.35 pm) in Halifax (P) aircraft. Good Attack!
The 4th Mission On 10 Apr 1944. Target Great Centre Ferrovivre Merelbeke, Belgium. Flight from 1300 hrs (1 pm) to 2055 (8.50 pm) . Halifax (P). Good Attack.
On 13 Apr 1944 the crew of P/O Devereaux embarks aboard Halifax III (N) piloted by Flying Officer (F/O) Weivoker conveying Halifax III (Y) from Horsham, England to Leeming, England
The 5th Mission. On 18 Apr 1944. Ti-rage Station near Bourget, Belgium. Flight from 2100 hrs (9 pm) to 0225 hrs (2.25 am) on board Halifax III (P). Moderate Flake. Good concentration on the target.
The 6th Mission. 20 Apr 1944. The Station and the Railway Repair Workshops near Pas-de-Calais, France. Flight 2115 hrs (9.15 pm) to 0145 hrs (1.15 am). Halifax (R). No congestion on the lens.
In the morning of 22 Apr 1944 the crew took off at 0905 hrs (9.05 am) for a training flight with accompaniment of "hunters" and fictitious bombardments. Duration of the exercise 1.35 hrs.
The 7th Mission. On 22 Apr 1944. Target the City of Dusseldorf, Germany. Take off 2230 hrs (10.30 pm) to 0410 hrs (4.10 am) . Very important . Congestion above the lens. From that date Halifax III (P) LV831) seemed to be "their plane" assigned for further operations.
The 8th Mission. On 24 Apr 1944. Target City of Karlsruhe, Germany. Take off at 955 hrs (9.55 am) to 1615 hrs (4.15 pm). Effort very dispersed but the goal seems to have been accomplished.
Notes 7. Log book copies kindly provided by respective families.
Note 8. AIR 27/1846
Page 12 Unofficial translation from French to English.
Only two training flights for bombardment took place on 5 and 18 May 1944. A respectable duration; of 1 hour and 1 hour 45 minutes. Meanwhile the crew enjoyed a welcome break in the operations.
The 9th Mission. On 18 May 1944. a coastal battery shelling in the Calais, England area. From 2350hrs (11.50 pm) to 0255 hrs (2.55 am). Good Bombardments. Landing in Newmarket, England.
On 20 May 1944 after a short rest the crew took off from Newmarket, England at 1440 hrs (2.40 pm) back to Leeming, England. Duration of flight 1 hour 15 minutes.
On 22 May, 2944 the crew took off on a flight for an exercise with "hunters" . Take off at 0900hrs (9.00 am)
10th Mission On 23 May 1944. Target Train infrastructure at Aix-La-Chappelle, France. Take off 2230 hrs (10.30 pm to 0400 hrs (4.00 am) another source indicated 2331 hrs (11.31 pm). (10)
The 11th Mission. On 24 May 1944. Railway Network of le Mans, France. Takeoff 0015 hrs (12.15 am) to 0510 hrs (5.10 am).
The crew of P/O Devereaux take off on 27 May 1944 at 2325 hrs (11.25 pm) (9) to attack the military camp at Beverlo. They did not know but it was their 12th Mission and their last mission.
"In a few hours they will be missing windows"
The Pilot, Pilot Officer (P/O) Frank Gerrard Devereaux RCAF age 22 (11)
Born of the marriage of John Louis Devereaux (1876-1958) and Mary Murphy (1888-1876). Frank Devereaux was born on 25 Mar 1922 in Seaforth, Ontario, Canada. Frank had two sisters; Mary (born in 1923 and Helen (1924-1996). Frank had two brothers; Robert (1921-1996) and James (1923-2015). James and Mary were twins born 26 Apr 1943.
The Devereaux family descended from a French line , more precisely from Normandy, France (City of L'Evreux). Back in the ninth Century; between 800-900 AD living in modest circumstances. Frank's Father was a farmer. Frank followed a tradition without pitfall. Public School 1929-1936, 1936-1939 he was a student at a Collegiate Institute.
After memories of his sister Mary, Frank neither drank nor smoked. He was a Catholic participant. However he did not hesitate to tease his sisters. In January 1940, Frank began his higher commercial studies but he gave these studies up after 6 months. Until 1941 he worked on the parental farm. Later Frank worked in a tile factory between Sep 1940-Oct 1941 and as a metallurgical worker Oct 1941 to Jan 1942.
On 21 Mar 1942 just a few days before his 20th birthday, Frank signed the commitment statement to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Differences of theoretical phases and practical work phases of this future Pilot came successfully as he completed training at the following schools in Canada:
No 5 Service Flying Training School (5 SFTS) at Brantford, Ontario 24 May to 4 Jul 1942,
No 1 Technical Training School (1 TTS) at St Catharines, Ontario 5 Jul to 26 Sep 1942, Frank made his first flight on 19 Oct 1942 in command of a Tiger Moth aircraft #5897
No 9 Elementary Flying Training School (16 SFTS) at Hagersville, Ontario, 6 Dec 1942 to 16 Apr 1943 training on Anson twin-engine aircraft.
On 2 Apr 1943 Frank Devereaux was presented with his "Pilot's Wings" as a qualified pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). This was truly a moment of emotion and pride for Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) Frank Gerrard Devereaux ...He is finally a Pilot!
Note 9. Note hourly recovery in log-book of Devereaux
Note 10. AIR 27/1846 cites 2331 hrs (11.31 pm)
Note 11. Biographies of the airmen written from military records (official documents resume at the end of book) supplemented by memories of the relatives
Page 13 Unofficial translation
P/O Frank Devereaux's Log Book already shows 199 hours of flying. He arrives in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 28 May 1943 to travel across the Atlantic to Great Britain. He does not know that he has one year to live!
Our Canadian airman landed in Great Britain in June 1944 and joined 208 (P) Air Flying Unit (AFU) in Weston in-the-Green. England on 20 Jun 1944. The training programme includes day time and night flights over Oxford, England, cross country exercises with emphasis on precision navigation.
Frank joins the 22 Operational Training Unit (OTU) which is situated in Wellesborne, Mountford, in Warwickshire, England on 5 Oct 1943. It was during this phase of training that the crew members of different functions, such as Pilots, Navigators, Radio Gunners (Wireless Air Gunners) and Bombardiers (Bombers) are assimilated and learning each other crew members functions. Frank and his crew perform other duties elsewhere in the OTU.
Frank's first mission on the European Continent (as a pilot) was as an airdrop of leaflets to the local civilian people.
Frank Gerrard Devereaux is commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer (P/O) on 13 Jan 1944 He also went to Argentina 14 Jan 1944 aboard a Wellington Bomber from his unit. Perhaps this was a commissioning reward?
Frank leaves 61 Base and is driven to Topcliffe in Yorkshire, England.
The crew of P/O Devereaux integrated two new Pilots, a Flight Installer and a machine superior; indispensable on a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft. With a full crew, P/O Devereaux now joins his operational unit 427 Squadron on 12 May 1944.
Frank has flown many different types of aircraft, single-engine, multi-engine, day and night flying in; Tiger Moth, Anson I and II, Oxford, Wellington III, IX and XVI and Halifax II and III. Frank has 187 hours and 55 minutes flying time in double command (with an instructor) and he has 245 hours 40 minutes as a Pilot. After his training he is qualified ?Above Average? ultimate proof of his hard work, dedication and knowledge. At Leeming Frank begins his turn on 3 operational missions, as a co-pilot with different crews. These missions are designed to teach him the ropes before facing alone with his six member crew members the difficulties and dangers of wartime flying.
Page 14 Unofficial translation from French to English.
13 Mar 1944 attack on Le Mans Train Station with the crew of P/O McAuley on Halifax (U). Flight duration 5.05 hours.
15 Mar 1944 operational flight over the City of Stuttgart, Germany, with the crew of Flying Officer Weldon in Halifax (C). Flight duration 8.35 hours! Long flight time!
18 Mar 1944 mission to the City of Frankfurt, Germany, with the crew of Squadron Leader Laird aboard Halifax (U) . Flight duration 5.45 hours with a deviation of return to Bury St Edmund. The next day the crew joined up at Leeming after a 1.05 hr flight back.
Picture of Sergeant Frank Gerrard Devereaux relaxing in England. Educated guess would be this was taken around Leeming, England at his home base. Photo by Mike Devereaux ... coincidence but not related?
On 27 May 1944, Pilot Officer Frank Gerrard Devereaux was officially credited with 548 Hours and 30 minutes of Flying Time in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
- Book of Remembrance, Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Pilot Officer Frank Gerrard Devereaux RCAF name is displayed (page 290) on 21 June each year.
Buried:
- buried in Baisy-Thy Communal Cemetery
Died:
- Pilot Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force, WW II Veteran
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1922 - 1944 (22 years)
