Help wanted with Illogan War Graves research

17 Oct 2011 22:38 #1 by CornwallPhil
Help wanted with Illogan War Graves research was created by CornwallPhil
I am trying to research the 52 World War Two war graves in the Illogan Cemetery in Cornwall and am struggling to find the story of the deaths of the following airmen. Any information, no matter how small, would be gratefully received. I have the CWGC listing information.

Sgt John Hodgins Smith (known as Jack), R63906, Royal Canadian Air Force, 22 (RAF) Squadron. Died 24/4/41, age 29.

Sgt Alexander Elliott Mokanyk, R71124, Royal Canadian Air Force, 130 (RAF) Squadron. Died 11/10/41.

Warrant Officer Alfred Morgan Parker BEM, 362121, Died 9/4/42, age 37.

P O James Allan Logan, J/5996, Royal Canadian Air Force, 236 (RAF) Squadron, died 2/6/42, age 20.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

17 Oct 2011 23:21 #2 by kebecker
Replied by kebecker on topic Help wanted with Illogan War Graves research
This is from the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museums listing, hope it is of use

PO James Logan from Montreal killed when his Beaufighter T 4899 crashed on approach to Portreath

Sgt Alexander Mokanyk from Winipeg engaged in low flying, killed when his Sptifire crashed near Portreath Age 22

Sgt John Smith (observer) from Toronto Beaufort failed to return

I note there are a few more RCAF graves in this cemetery, let me know if you need any other information on those men

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

17 Oct 2011 23:58 #3 by CornwallPhil
Replied by CornwallPhil on topic Help wanted with Illogan War Graves research
Wow, what a quick response! Thanks kebecker.
I think I have some details on how the others died. I don't suppose you've got anything on Ft Lt D A C Crooks {40678} and how he received his DFC. He's buried in Illogan after shooting down a Dornier but crashed after being hit by return fire. He came from Toronto.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

18 Oct 2011 00:24 #4 by kebecker
Replied by kebecker on topic Help wanted with Illogan War Graves research
The only additional information I have at hand is that Ft Lt Crooks was flying a Whirlwind when he was killed, he had previously flown Fairy Battles with 266 Sqn during the Battle of France

London Gazette list his DFC dated 3 Sept 1940
pictures of him on this link www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/collections/virtualmem/Detail/2948405

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

18 Oct 2011 20:06 #5 by CornwallPhil
Replied by CornwallPhil on topic Help wanted with Illogan War Graves research
@kebecker
Yes it was Westland Whirlind I P6989 HE-J pf 263 Squadron from RAF Portreath.
Thanks for the London Gazette date.
I'd stumbled across the photos in my internet trawl.
Cheers

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

21 Oct 2011 09:15 #6 by CornwallPhil
Replied by CornwallPhil on topic Help wanted with Illogan War Graves research
Am now looking for information on Pilot Officer Herbert Leslie Cousins, 88405, RAFVR, 144 Squadron, killed in action July 1941. Flight on 16 Jan 1941 reported his "commission as pilot officer on probation." I understand 144 Squadron flying Handley Page Hampden I were based at Hemswell until 17 July 1941 then at North Luffenham. Any information to the circumstances of PO Cousins death would be gratefully received.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

13 Jan 2012 11:09 #7 by CornwallPhil
Replied by CornwallPhil on topic Help wanted with Illogan War Graves research
I have now posted the results of my research in 6 videos on YouTube. Below is the link to part one of the six.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

14 Jan 2014 13:59 #8 by jonny
Warrant Officer Parker shot himself in the heart with his service automatic by the side of a road in Cornwall "whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed".

Rgds

Jonny

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.044 seconds
Powered by Kunena Forum

We use cookies to improve our website and your experience when using it. Cookies used for the essential operation of this site have already been set. By continuing to use this site you are agreeing to this. To find out more about the cookies we use and how to delete them, see our privacy policy.

  
EU Cookie Directive Module Information