Engaged in Combat, crew 54

L to R

W/O Walter “Wallie” Ferrier, Sgt. Ed. S. Pridham, F/Sgt. Jack D. Pilkey

Three members of the RCAF Bomber Group’s Bluenose squadron just back from attacking Mannheim await their turn to tell the squadron intelligence officers about fighting off an enemy night fighter.

W/O Walter “Wallie” Ferrier, 5540 queen Mary Road, Montréal (Left) was skipper of the Halifax crew, which was approaching target when Sgt. Ed. S. Pridham (center) of Stayner, Ont., the midupper, and F/Sgt. Jack D. Pilkey of Shanty Bay, Ont. (near Barrie), rear gunner, saw the fighter creeping up. “He was waiting to see if we noticed him.” Said Sgt. Pridham who was making his first trip. The gunners opened fire at 700-yard range and succeeding in driving the enemy off before he could launch an attack.

Crew 54 “FTR” from Frankfurt 20/21 Dec. 1943, all were killed.

22 Nov. 1943 – Courtesy CFJIC - PL 22310 / UK 6250