George Dawson, killed 1944. Possibly 466 Squadron. Information required.

Hello,
I am related through mum's side of the family to an RAF air gunner. All mum knew of him was that he was called George Dawson, (son of William Dawson) he (George) was an air gunner and was shot down over Germany in 1944 and that he came from Ramsey, Huntingdonshire.

Now the only possibility I can find on cwgc is a George William Dawson of 466 (RAAF) Squadron who is buried in Sage War cemetery in Germany.

So my question is this: (if it's a schoolboy howler, please be gentle!)

Wikipedia says that 466 was initially drawn from the British Commonwealth countries and latterly there were more Australians. Is it possible that a young lad from Ramsey could have served in 466 squadron?

Thanks
Martin

Hi Martin,

I am sure you will get much more helpful answers from other members on here but my family member, killed on an op to Dusseldorf 11/6/43, served with an Australian crew on 12 Squadron before his last flight with an English crew and an Australian pilot. He was a mid upper gunner on a Lancaster and I believe that gunners moved around more than other crew members.

Try asking your question on the rafcommands site, they will try to help you as well.

Good luck,
Pauline.

Some clarification here re 466 Sqn:

www.awm.gov.au/units/unit_11173.asp?query=466+squadron+raaf

Thanks to both of you for your help
Best wishes
Martin

If you still require info on crew members of 466 squadron, contact John Dann via www.halifaxlv827.co.uk .
He founded an Internet group of squadron members, their families and interested parties and they are recording all members of 466 and 462 squadrons.
For the past few years the group have attended a commemorative service at the Driffield, Yks, memorial park at 11am April 25, ANZAC Day in Australia.
Several Australians are attending again in 2015.
Good luck,
Rob

Hi Rob,
Yes thanks I got in touch with him and he gave me a lot of info about George including copies of the ORB for the operations that he flew on. Furthermore, a little while after contacting him, he was contacted by a lady called Wendy, a distant relative of our family who was looking for info about George and he put us in touch.
Here's a snippet of her email to me:

Hello Martin,
Thank you for your email. George was my cousin and his mother was my Aunt Violet, Dad's sister. I remember him as a young man when he first joined up - he came to visit my Mum as he was so proud of his new uniform. He was a nice looking lad. So sad to die at 19. My grandson has just started university at 19 and it is difficult to imagine what it was like for the young men who took part in these dangerous missions.

I remember his photo so clearly as it was in my bedroom when I was a girl. I was born at Forty Foot, Ramsey.

Wendy had the same photo as I had but it was lost years ago and naturally she thought it was gone for good, well now she has it again.

John's site had a photo of all the crew of George's Halifax, well all apart from George so now that's complete too.
Good result all round!
Best wishes
Martin

Hi Martin. Ernest Thompson died with George. Contact me!! I am his great nephew
Im also in contact with Tasman Williams relatives. I have photos but we don't think we have the names right
Email me. Alan.barrie@ brisbanegrammar.com