8. | Joseph Alexander Weber was born on 27 Mar 1913 in Rosenfeld, Manitoba, Canada (son of Emil "Joseph" Weber and Sarah Isabella Acheson); died on 13 May 1944 in Koxsijde, West Flanders, Belgium; was buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Adegem, Belgium. Other Events and Attributes:
Notes:
Died:
Louvain May 12/13th 1944:
The yards at Louvain in Belgium on this night were the scene of the loss of two of 419’s Lancasters even though the opposition was considered to be moderate. Taking off at 2155 and heading out to the target the crew and aircraft were shot down near Sint-Genesius-Rode which was 12 km S of Brussels. None of this very experienced crew survived.
OPERATION: Leuven/ Louvain- to bomb railway yards. 120 aircraft, 5 losses (4.2%). A more accurate bombing raid than the previous night with considerable damage to the yards. According to the local report, repairs were still being carried out some six months later. Civilian casualties were heavy with 160 deaths and 208 injured. Part of the local University, 8 factories, 4 convents and a church were also damaged.
The crew of VR-X had P/O Edwards and F/O Campbell who were a quarter of a way through their tours while the other airmen were on their second or third operation.
VR-X KB713 crew
P/O B F Edwards Pilot on his 8th sortie
F/O R R Campbell Navigator
F/S P Dewar Bomb Aimer
F/S R S Smith Wireless Op.
Sgt. J R Carruthers Flight Engineer
P/O J A Webber Upper Gunner*
P/O H E Oddan Rear Gunner
* P/O = "pilot officer", lowest ranking for a commissioned air force officer.
Source: 419 Squadron RCAF 1941 to 1945 and Crew of Lancaster KB713.
Buried:
Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Belgium
Coll. grave IV, AA, 6
Joseph married Lillian May Scott on 13 Mar 1936 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Lillian (daughter of Melvin Emerson Scott and Chirstina Hodgson) was born on 5 Apr 1909 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; died on 15 Jan 2008 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada; was buried on 5 Apr 2008 in St. Mary's Pioneer Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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