Sergeant (A/B) 1397376 Richard Claude Harold “Dick” Cantin RAFVR, 61 Squadron, was born the 10th of September 1923 at Brunoy, France and was baptised in Paris, the only son of Mr Peter Anthony Leo Cantin, and wife Mary Amy Lilian . Richard was educated at The Harvey School, Paris and at Yardley Court School, Tonbridge and Tonbridge School.

The 1939 Register finds him with his family at Bel Air, The Ridgeway, Tonbridge, Kent. Peter, born 1879, was an Indian Service of Engineers, road and construction engineer. Mary, born 1888 was unpaid domestic duties. Children recorded are Gina, born 1913, a typist; Vivian born 1915 a commercial artist and Richard, at school.

In 1941, Richard was nominated for the University Training Course, but instead elected to enlist into the Royal Air Force before that could happen. Following training as an Air Bomber, he commenced operational flying and was posted to 61 Squadron at Skellingthorpe, flying Lancasters.

On the night of the 26th/27th November, 1943, he took off from Skellingthorpe at 17.35 in Lancaster W4198 QR-H to Berlin. The Lancaster crashed into the Borgermoor, south of Surwold, probably shot down by a nightfighter. There were no survivors. The crew were initially buried in the Evangelical Friedhof at Zwuschenahn but post war were exhumed for reburial in the Sage War Cemetery.

The crew were:-

P/O 156938 Arthur James Douglas Eaves (P)

Sgt 1607210 James Robertson (F/E)

F/O 133725 David Conway White  (Nav)

Sgt 1397376 Richard Claud Harold Cantin (A/B)

Sgt 1293482 James Alexander Weston (W/Op)

F/Sgt 1321457 Harold Lewis Sweet (A/G)

F/Sgt 417632 Kenneth Rosslyn Fuller (A/G)

The Berlin Raid - 443 Lancasters were despatched with 7 Mosquitoes in support. 28 aircraft aborted the sortie. Time over the target was between 21.13 and 21.27, during which time 889 tons of high explosive and 735 tons of incendiaries were dropped. 28 Lancasters were lost and another 14 destroyed in crashes and accidents. Aircrew casualties amounted to 196 dead and 35 POW. 61 Squadron lost three aircraft.