Leeder, Vernon Victor Russell
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Vernon Victor Russell |
Surname | Leeder |
Gender | M |
Age | 28 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 04-08-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Victor Sandford Leeder and Ruby Ida Leeder, of Windsor, Victoria, Australia. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | ND811 |
Markings | F2-T |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Marissel French National Cemetery, Beauvais |
Grave Reference | Grave 318. |
Epitaph | EVER REMEMBERED |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 198 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 419272 |
Service | Royal Australian Air Force |
Group | 8 |
Squadron | 635 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Australia |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2157/16 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2155/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 04-08-1944 |
End Date | 04-08-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Downham Market |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Trossy St. Maxim- to mark a flying bomb storage depot. Part of a 291 aircraft bomber force to attack both Bois de Cassan and Trossy St. Maxim sites by day and with good visibility. 4 aircraft lost. S/L I W Bazalgette of 635 Sqn was posthumously awarded a VC for his devotion to duty on this raid. |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak, knocking out both starboard engines and causing a fire in the fuselage. The pilot pressed on since he was the deputy master bomber and the master bomber had already been shot down. He succeeded in marking the target accurately despite the damage to his aircraft, after which he ordered the crew to abandon where possible and then attempted a crash-landing. Exploded as it touched down, killing the pilot and the two wounded crew members. |