Sqn Ldr HAROLD LESTER LINDO J/4762 RCAF DFC

Heralding from Sligoville, Jamaica, Harold Lindo enlisted on 20th June 1940 in Ottawa, Canada and began his training as an Observer/Navigator. He graduated on 15th August 1940 and by March 1941 he was in England. He was noted for his talent, his coolness under pressure and was well-respected within the crews.

His aircraft had gone down twice previously; once crashing into the sea and the second hitting high-tension wires. Nothing fazed him, and he remained enthusiastic.  In January 1942, he was promoted to Flight Lt and later that year was awarded a DFC with his investment on 4th December 1942.  He had returned to 103 Squadron as Bombing Leader and by January 1944, he had been promoted to Squadron Leader.

On 15th February 1944,  891 aircraft headed for Berlin; the largest force sent to the German capital. 17 aircraft came from 103 Squadron, RAF Elsham Wolds.  They flew at 22-24000 feet following route marking and target indicators.  Berlin was heavily bombed and suffered extensive damaged. It was believed that this raid was the end of the ‘Battle of Berlin’. Despite being told to not make contact over the capital, German fighters engaged the bombers.  Lancaster ND363 was shot down on it’s return by a night-fighter and crashed into the sea near Texel, Holland.  All the crew were killed.

CREW OF LANCASTER ND363 PM-A: – click on the names to see their entry in our Losses database

F/O Kenneth Atkins                                          144756                                  Air Bomber                         Panel 4

F/L Kenneth Berry (DFM)                                140907                                  Pilot                                       Panel 9

W/O William Mitton                                         1053665                                Wireless Operator           Panel 75

F/S James Peacock                                            1318159                                Air Gunner                          Panel 83

F/O Jack Southey                                               160096                                  Air Gunner                          Panel 100

F/O Kenneth Wilcock                                          52813                                    Flight Engineer                  Panel 115

Harold was born 6th July 1917, Kingston, Jamaica; the son of Harold Vincent and Jennie Rosalie Lindo. He is remembered at the Runnymede memorial on panel 244, and on IBCC panel 63.

Photo courtesy of https://www.northlincsweb.net/103Sqn/html/ken_berry_and_crew_103_sqn.html

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