PL - Robert Denis Crofton KIFA

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"A" Able flying through the Eiffel Tower? (although this event likely happened, this photograph is likely fake.) It is signed by the late Bill Bryant RAF who was the navigator of that aircraft piloted by Bob Boorman RCAF. The caption reads "This Stars Stripes photograph was taken on 14 September 1944 and shows a Mosquito Mk XIII of 409 Squadron RCAF. Pilot - W/O Bob Boorman RCAF Navigator F/S Bill Bryant RAF Flying through the Eiffel Tower."
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Crofton, Robert Denis (Flight Lieutenant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1942-July-12

Birth Date: 1907-March-01 (age 35)

Born: Paddington, City of Westminster, Greater London, England

Major R B Crofton, RAO(C), & Helena C Crofton

Home: Bath, Somerset, England (parents)

Service
RAF

Unit
45 Group (RAF)

Base
RCAF Stn. Dorval, Quebec

Rank

Flight Lieutenant

Marshal
Air Chief Marshal	A/C/M
Air Marshal	A/M
Air Vice Marshal	A/V/M
Air Commodore	A/C
Group Captain	G/C
Wing Commander	W/C
Squadron Leader	S/L
Flight Lieutenant	F/L
Flying Officer	F/O
Pilot Officer	P/O
Warrant Officer 1st Class	WO1
Warrant Officer 2nd Class	WO2
Flight Sergeant	FS
Sergeant	SGT
Corporal	CPL
Senior Aircraftman	SAC
Leading Aircraftman	LAC
Aircraftman 1st Class	AC1
Aircraftman 2nd Class	AC2

Position
Pilot

Service Numbers
70149

Hudson MK Vl FK413

Ferry Flight 1942-July-12 to 1942-July-12

45 Group, RAF Transport Command, Dorval, Quebec. Hudson VI aircraft FK 413 lost during a Trans-Atlantic ferry flight after departing Gander, Newfoundland, cause unknown

Sergeant RE Wylie (RCAF), Flight Lieutenant RD Crofton (RAF) and Sergeant ED Brabender (RAAF) were all missing, presumed killed in this flying accident

The missing have no known grave. Sergeant Wylie is commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial. Flight Lieutenant Crofton and Sergeant Brabender are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

Ocean Bridge, The History of RAF Ferry Command by Carl A Christie, page 313

General [Royal Air Force Serial and Image Database]...

RAF Ferry Command, overseas delivery flight.

Aircraft failed to reach destination during transatlantic ferry flight from Newfoundland to United Kingdom, 12 July 1942.

Killed includes Crofton: Sgt Raymond Edgar Wylie RCAF R/114080 KIFA Ottawa Memorial Panel 1. Column 5. Sgt Elton Duncan Brabender RAAF KIFA Runnymede Memorial Panel 112.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Flight Lieutenant Robert Denis Crofton has no known grave.

Home

Google Map

Bath, Somerset, England (parents)

Panel 65

Crew on Hudson MK Vl FK413

Australia

Sergeant Brabender, Elton Duncan (RAAF)
Wireless Operator
Killed in Flying Accident
Age: 31
- Panel 112

Flight Lieutenant Crofton, Robert Denis (RAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
Age: 35
- Panel 65

Canada

Sergeant Wylie, Raymond Edgar (RCAF)
2nd Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
Age: 26
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Panel 1 Column 5

Lockheed Hudson A-28 A-29 AT-18

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command, but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. They were also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) anti-submarine squadrons. National Air Force Museum of Canada.

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hudson

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications Hudon - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:

RCAF On Strength (247), RCAF 400 Squadron (2), Canadian Aircraft Losses (245), Canadian Ferried (1)

last update: 2021-12-21 01:36:53

Hudson MK Vl FK413

Missing at Sea. Flight Lieutenant Crofton R.D.;Flight Sergeant Raymond E Wylie;
Elton D. Brabender
1942-July-12 Accident: RAFFC DORVAL Loc: At Sea Names: Brabender | Crofton | Wylie

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