Date: 29/30th March 1943
Unit: No. 420 Squadron
Type: Wellington X
Serial: MS484
Code: PT-?
Base: Middleton St. George, County Durham.
Location: Wanroij, Holland
Pilot: F/O. Bruce Angus Grant J/21941 R.C.A.F. Age 21. Killed
Nav 1: Fl/Sgt. Percival Edward Barron J/21941 R.C.A.F. Age. 28. Killed (1)
Nav 2: Fl/Sgt. Sidney Victor Bradshaw R/128173 R.C.A.F. Age 23. Killed (2)
Air.Bmr: W.O. A.G. Skiggs R.C.A.F. P.O.W. Stalag Kopernikus P.O.W. No: 1037
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Ronald Dyson 1218403 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21. Killed
(1) Barron Island in the Nelson River was named after Fl/Sgt. Percival Edward Barron
(2) Bradshaw Bay in Saskatchewan is named after Flt/Sgt. Bradshaw
We are working very closely with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Manitoba geographical names project and the Saskatchewan Tourism Parks, culture and sports department to show with the aid of Google maps where many of the WW2 Aviators are being remembered. If you are also able to assist by sending other information please "Contact Us". To see the Google map locations for others "Click Here"
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 1933 hrs from Middleton St. George, County Durham to bomb Bochum. A force of 149 Wellingtons and 8 Mosquitoes took part and the raid was considered a complete failure - the Mosquitoes were not able to adhere to the timetable and long gaps occurred in the marking. Records say that only 4 buildings were destroyed and 35 damaged - 28 people on the ground were killed.
12 Wellington's were lost, together with 39 crew members killed and another 6 made P.O.W. Wellington MS484 was intercepted and shot down by a Oblt. Martin Bauer of 3.NJG1 at 3.800 mtrs. 2 km. East of Wanrooy at 23.15hrs. This was Oblt Bauer's 2nd abschuss and he survived the war with a total of 6 victories.
Fl/Sgt. Percival Edward Barron (Courtesy of "A Place of Honour - Canada") - Right: With his brother and sister. (Courtesy Mike Harrison)
Above left: Groesbeek Canadian Wr Cemetery, Right: Eindoven (Woensel) General Cemetery (C.W.G.C.)
Burial details:
F/O. Bruce Angus Grant. Groesbeek Canadian Wr Cemetery XVI. D.7.
Son of Donald A. and Jean L. Grant, of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Fl/Sgt. Sidney Victor Bradshaw. Groesbeek Canadian Wr Cemetery XVI. D.6.
Son of Robert and Marion Grace Bradshaw, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Sgt. Ronald Dyson. Eindoven (Woensel) General Cemetery Plot JJB. Grave 36
Son of Frank and Doris Dyson, of Huddersfield, Yorkshire.
Fl/Sgt. Percival Edward Barron. Groesbeek Canadian Wr Cemetery XVI. D.9.
Son of Oliver and Mary Rose Barron, of Mafeking, Manitoba.
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses Vol 3", Martin Middlebrook "Bomber Command War Diaries". The C.W.G.C.
