Cavanagh, Leonard Ernest
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Leonard Ernest |
Surname | Cavanagh |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 23-06-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of James Thomas Cavanagh and Alma Irene Cavanagh, of Swanbourne, Western Australia. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | JD259 |
Markings | NP-R |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Schoonselhof Cemetery |
Grave Reference | II. E. 27. |
Epitaph | FOR AUSTRALIA. A LOVED ONLY CHILD. LIVED AND DIED GALLANTLY |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 142 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 415377 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 158 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Australia |
Other Memorials
Location | Aland, Mechelen (Leest), Antwerpen Province |
Country | Belgium |
Memorial Type | Stone pillar & stencilled stone tablets |
Memorial Text |
Location | St. James of Compostola Church, Lissett, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 158 Sqn, RAF Lissett 28th February 1943 - 17th August 1946 |
Location | St. James of Compostola Church, Lissett, East Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | A stained glass window in memory of 158 Sqn RAF |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1048/35 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1048/34 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 22-06-1943 |
End Date | 23-06-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Lissett |
Day/Night Raid | Night (70% moon) |
Operation | Mülheim. 557 aircraft, 35 losses (6.3%) A thin layer of cloud hampered PFF marking efforts which were, nevertheless accurate (as detailed by the German report on the raid). As a result the bombing was concentrated and devastated this small town. All communications were cut off from Oberhausen, on which Mülheim was dependent for emergency services. 578 deaths and 1135 homes destroyed. A post war British report put the damage at 64% of the town. |
Reason for Loss | Crashed at Leest, 5km west of Mechelen, Belgium |