Finch, Donald Davies
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Donald Davies |
Surname | Finch |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 02-02-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Eardly O. Finch and Anna Finch. Husband of Robina Finch, of Springfield, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster II |
Serial Number | LL686 |
Markings | QO-F |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. C. Row K. Grave 11. |
Epitaph | GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS (John 15:13) |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 163 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/88383 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 432 (Leaside) |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Aldborough, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of the crew of Lancaster LL686 of 432 Sqn RCAF which crashed on 2nd February 1944 killing the crew |
Location | Village Centre, Sutton on the Forest, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone & Metal Sun Dial |
Memorial Text | A memorial to all those who served at RAF East Moor and in particular 415 Sqn RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
A memorial has been erected by the villagers of Aldborough in grateful memory of the crew, who gave their lives in steering a course to prevent the aircraft crashing on the village. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/20 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1860/19 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 01-02-1944 |
End Date | 02-02-1944 |
Takeoff Station | East Moor |
Day/Night Raid | Night (58% moon) |
Operation | Training |
Reason for Loss | Port outer engine difficulties required the crew to return to base, whereupon the aircraft struck trees near Ripon, Yorkshire and caught fire |