Dakota aircraft FZ655 of 437 RCAF ‘Husky’ Squadron failed to return to base on the 24th October 1944. The aircraft crashed near St Pol-sur-Mer, a suburb of Dunkirk, during a cargo flight from Antwerp (airfield B70) to Blakehill.
The aircraft was one of nine Dakotas tasked with the delivery of 57,000lbs of freight and ammunition. The circumstances of the loss remain unclear, other than the freight delivery was successful.
On the return flight, Flying Nightingale LACW Margaret Campbell WAAF 2041818 was flying aboard, along with F/Sgt Douglas Otto SCHNEIDER, F/Sgt Sydney Alfred GUMBRELL and W/O II John Herman SOPER. Co-Pilot Flight Sergeant J W Lockwood survived. The aircraft was not transporting any wounded passengers for repatriation.
All of those on the aircraft who were killed all are buried in Calais Canadian War Cemetery, France, including 'Flying Nightingale' LACW Margaret Campbell WAAF 2041818.
[Some text and image credit RAF Blakehill - Kara Neave]
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