Exel, Gordon Wynne
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Gordon Wynne |
Surname | Exel |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 05-03-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of Frederick Godfrey Exel and stepson of Ellen Catherine Exel (née Ridling), of Royston, Vancouver Island, Canada |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | ME392 |
Markings | PM-Y |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 279. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 33 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/36627 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 103 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | All Saints Church, Elsham, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | Dedicated to all who served at RAF Elsham Wolds on 103 7 576 Squadrons 1941-45 |
Location | Anglian Water Treatment Works, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Pillar & Plaques |
Memorial Text | Pillar : RAF Elsham Wolds, 1941-1945, For those who made the great sacrifice. Plaque :This tree is dedicated to all those who served with 103 Squadron Royal Air Force. Plaque : RAF Elsham Wolds, Opened in Summer 1941 as a bomber station in No1 group, it w |
Miscellaneous Information
Gordon was born at Galveston, Texas on 5 Sep 1924. His father was born at Maggaland, East Indies, and his mother was born in Auckland, New Zealand. His father worked as manager of an Appliance department in McLennan, McFeeley & Prier. He had a brother F/L F.L. Exel who was sercing overseas with RCAF. Gordon went to school in Vancouver at Bridgeport 1930-1937, Lord Byng 1937-39, and Magee High 1939-1941 (Jnr, Matric). His sport interests were rugby, swimming, badminton and tennis. During the school holidays 1936-1940 Gordon worked in a shoe shop. He then worked as a clerk at Safeway Ltd, Victoria, 1940-1941 and as a junior office clerk at McDonald’s Consolidated 1941-1942 |
He enlisted on 14 October 1942 and after training, embarked for the U.K. on 1 November 1943. He then went to 3PRC on 10 November 1943, 3 (P) AFU. 28 March 1944. Posted to 103 Squadron 21 November 1944. Gordon sadly lost his life on 5 March 1945 at the age of twenty years. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/817/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/817/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 05-03-1945 |
End Date | 05-03-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Elsham Wolds |
Day/Night Raid | Night (71% moon) |
Operation | Chemnitz |
Reason for Loss | Crashed deep in Germany, one of 20 aircraft lost in this large-scale raid |