My grandfather Walter Vernon Dumas D.F.C was such a proud member of the squadron and as my Uncle mentioned previously in this guest book he remembered his time fondly with the crew and the air force.

My grandfather passed away this passed Tuesday September 28th at the age of 91. He will be remembered with much love by everyone who knew him. Another member of our WWII veterans has passed but he and everyone before him will never be forgotten.

Thank-you for the memories and information that this website will provide to everyone!

Thanks!
Amber Bastien

While visiting the Bomber Command in Nanton in 2007, we saw in the Memorial Book that 2 of the crew( N. Clifford-Pilot and S. Jarvis-flight eng) of Lancaster JA-718 had survived and were reported as missing. This was different from what had been reported to the family after the crash on Jan 29 1944 when my wife Peggy's brother Stan Liddle(mid-gunner) and all of the crew had died. With this new hope of finding the two missing men, I started researching RAF web-sites in the UK. I found a book "#7 Squadron-Bomber Command written by Tom Docherty" I ordered the book and it told us that Norman Clifford the pilot and Stan Jarvis the FE had survived and had become POWs. While researching German POW camps, I found Norman's pow number along with his service number and the same data for Stan Jarvis. I started leaving messages on RAF web-site Message boards explaing who I was looking for. A fella named Neil Nelson saw my messages and in an email told me that he would see if he could help. It took him about two weeks to put together a list of RAF Norman Cliffords together along with phone numbers and addresses. Neil said that the name at the top of the list might be my man due to his age now and in 1944. Peggy and I called Norman Clifford early the next morning and found ourselves speaking to the pilot of JA-718. We have began a close friendly friendship with Norman thru his son Roger and Roger's computor. Norman has started speaking about his RAF life for the first time since 1944 and according to Roger his dad seems happier than Roger has ever known. A week later we spoke to Stan Jarvis and although we found him to be willing to connect with Peggy and I, he has chosen to let things lie. We have honoured his wish. So, thanks to the Nanton Bomber Command Museum we started on a journey that took us to a place that we never ever thought we would ever get to.Norman sent us a picture of the crew of JA-718 and it shows Peggy's brother Stan Liddle with a mustage. That young boy that Peggy remembers at age 18-19 had become a man. What a blessing this has been for Peggy and her remaining brother Arnold Liddle who served with the RCAFin the radar service. We look forward to our next visit to the museum in mid-Sept and to seeing Stan Liddle's name on the Wall of Rememberence. Thanks for all the wonderful things that have occured at the Museum

Good evening .My name is Ted Ball My Dads brother was shot down and is at rest In Belgum with his crew .He was pilot officer Josef D Ball . We have as a family always cherished his memory . Man good people gave there lives may there soles always rest in peace .

My mother will be 90 next year and has often spoken of her brother who was shot down aged 25 during the war. Through your site and information given by members of the family I think I have found who Sgt Rueben Lee flew with and the plane that he was in when it crashed over the English Channel in 1943. I would love to be able to show her a photo of 434 squadron Crew Number 34 if anyone has one.

William Gordon Pearcey of Crew 52.
Remembering my Dad's cousin today. 65 years have passed but their sacrifice and courage is not forgotten. Rest in peace, all of you.
Gordon and Nikki

To all who visit this site - Rememberance day comes once a year to remind us all of the gift of freedom we live in everyday. A gift given to us by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. To all those who made this sacrifice - "We Will Remember " ......I would like to give particular mention to Crew 52 of the 434 Squadron and invite all living family members to do the same. Philip (Allan) Kingston , I never met you - but I knew your three older bothers. The oldest was my Grandpa who gave me the oppertunity to know of your sacrifice . I will pass this on to my son , Aiden (19 months) , to do my part in continued respect.
To all Canadian troops currently deployed around the world , be safe, brave , and true - and return knowing your efforts are appreciated.
Aiden solutes the Canadian flag every morning ,and will grow up a proud Canadian. He Will Remember. Darrin Kingston

Blackburn Crew 124 F/O Donald McGavin

Many thanks for having this site it has meant a lot to myself and my daughter, granddaugher of F/O Donald McGavin. She is so proud of her late grandfather and his contributions and this site gave her a window into the 434..

Just wanted to let you know I think you have a great site here with great resources. Very nice to have met you in Nanton!

Cheers!

Allan Cameron
Founding Pres./producer
Th Memories Recovered Project

I love your website. It gave me the most information about my great uncle Spud, "Red" Jenkins as he is called here. He was in Crew 30 of 434 Squadron. If anyone has any information or little story about my great uncle that they would like to share, I would love to hear them.

Terrific Site. I sent you an email regarding my father FLt Wallace R Oatway who was with 434 Sqaudron from Feb to June 45, after completing a Tour with 424 Sq. I will help out with some photos. Keep up the good work.

I am trying to find out if FS C Ratchford is still alive. He served in 434 Squadron during the war and was also with 619 Squadron. He was the only member of the crew to survive on the night of 18 July 1944 and I would like to find out exactly what happened if possible.

Jane Phipps

Hi
My father is Walter Vernon Dumas D.F.C air crew 95,434 squadron he is turning 90 on July 19 2009 and we are having a family celebration for him ,although his short term memory is not as good he remembers
the air force in great detail his children and grandchildren are very proud of him,and enjoy all the information available on this web site.

Thanks Barry Dumas June 16 2009

I am particulary interested in any information available on P/O Mike Gnius, Crew 51 who was KIA in Jan 44, or any members of the crew who were KIA or taken POW.

Many thanks

Mike Harbord

Hi Alan :
My name is Bruce Andrew Baird and my father is Sgt T.B.Baird who was a tail gunner on the Lady Orchid with Ronnie Jenkins - I just came across this site and you are to be commended!!! My father is trying to track down anyone in the original crew - Some have passed away - Ronnie Jenkins - P.J.Hines - Neil Maclean (he is trying to track down his sister who he believes lives in the durham region).

Alan
I wished to express my gratitude for you doing this site, and also to compliment you on the vast amount of material you have located and presented.

Ralph

Hi,
Just found your site. It made me look up proudly at the 434 Emblem "IN EXCELSIS VINCIMUS" on my office wall.
I was very fortunate; my mother whom is still with me kept everything of my Dad’s since that terrible day in March of 44. So many had those terrible days at that point in time.
I am Ralph, only child of Edson G Armour. I see Rich Allenby (a great fella) sent you some of my pics from his site. That is great. If you would like more, I would be pleased to send them for your site, or to any 434 interested folk.
My Dad's Log Book has been scanned and it is available to the 434 site, if you wish.
I would be pleased to share any material with anyone involved in researching 434 squadron.
Please contact this website owner to relay a message to me in regards for obtaining copies of my Dad's material.
Thank You for this site.
E Ralph Armour.

What a fine website you have - well researched, clear and easy to follow with some great information. We would be interested in hearing from any of your readers with a view to dedicating a page of honour to them. If they would like to contact us via our website we can take it from there.
Well done once again and good luck with your research.
Kelvin T. Youngs
Webmaster
http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/

What a wonderful site - my Uncle Sgt A.G. Edward Stanley Pridham and the crew of aircraft LK686 went missing over the north sea on the night of Dec 20th, 1943 on returning from a night raid against Frankfurt -- the family knew nothing about his squadron, his crew or his missions -- not even the type of plane he was in (my mother and family thought it was a Lancaster) - It brought a sad tear to see Edwards name on the combat mission info for Nov 1943 ---any info or photos or info that anyone has concerning Edward or members of his crew ( I think it might have been #54) which could be shared with me and Edwards family would be greatly appreciated --- I (Don Johnson) can be contacted at teamjohn@idirect.com -- May God Bless all who served in 434 Squadron

Hello, I enjoyed reading your website. Mike Laffin is my dad's cousin and we spent many summers with him when we visited my grandparent's in Cape Breton. Although it's been over 20 years since I have seen him, I have many wonderful memories of him and his wife Doris. I'm glad he was able to help you with information about your uncle.

I too enjoy your site very much...Thank you for all your work, and to everyone who has made a contributuion.....the pride and love that we feel for our family members who served still grows.
Cheers, Sue Hutchinson