F/S George Edwin Moore,
RCAF, Service Number R/197236

George was born on his parents farm, just on the outskirts of Shedden, Ontario, in 1920. His father was William F. Moore (farmer), and his mother was Ida Bell Wride, daughter of John Wride (farmer) and Laura Dell. The Moore and Wride families were neighbours in the Shedden area. George had two older brothers, Clarence and William.

Gransden Lodge then and now

During WWII George joined the RCAF and was posted to 405 (Pathfinder) Squadron, Based at Gransden Lodge, Bedfordshire, approximately 10 miles west of Cambridge.

George was a Flight Sergeant and the mid-upper gunner on board Avro Lancaster Mk.III LQ-E, PA980.

Avro Lancaster Mk.III , LQ-E, s/n PA980, of 405 (Pathfinder) Sqn. RCAF based at Gransden Lodge, England

On the night of 28/29 June, 1944 LQ-E did not return from its mission to attack the rail yards at Metz, France. PA980 departed Gransden Lodge at 2302 and while at 12,000 feet in the vicinity of Rheims, enroute to the target, it was attacked from behind by a night fighter. The aircraft was apparently abandoned by the five crew who survived, four of whom escaped and one of whom was captured. George and the tail gunner did not survive, in all likelyhood injured or killed by the night fighter attack, which would explain the partial abandonment of their aircraft after the attack.

The following is an excerpt from the 1944 publication THE RCAF OVERSEAS (The fifth year)

"SUMMER BOMBING OPERATIONS"

"The last foray on which Canadians had a large contingent was on a successful raid on Metz on the 28th, when every track in the south-east junction was cut and other important damage done. Though successful the attack was costly."

"Another most experienced crew was lost in F/O L. R. Stein, P/Os F. A. Smitton (pilot) and E. W. Stringham, FSs J. W. Shurvell and G. E. Moore and Sgts. J. M. Shaw and E. E. Thorn. Stringham is known to be a prisoner, while Shurvell, Stein and Smitton are safe."

The crew of PA980:

Pilot - P/O Frank. A. Smitten, RCAF, evaded capture
Flight Engineer - Sgt. Edgar E. Thorn, RAF, evaded capture
Navigator - P/O E. W. Stringham, RCAF, became a POW interned in Camp L3 (POW #6634)
Bomb Aimer - F/O Leonard R. Stein, RCAF, evaded capture
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner - F/S J. W. Shurvell, RCAF, evaded capture
Mid-Upper Gunner - F/S George Edwin Moore, RCAF, KIA
Rear Gunner - Sgt. John McDonald Shaw, RAF, KIA

Lancaster Mk.lll, LQ-E, s/n PA980, was a new aircraft and had been delivered to 405 Squadron on 14 June, 1944 and apparently lost on its first mission having only accumulated 16 hours of flying time.

A 405 Squadron Lancaster overflying German rail yards

Gransden Lodge, England to Metz, France

F/S George Edwin Moore, RCAF is remembered:

1. On panel 255 of the Runnymede Memorial near Windsor, England;
2. In the Book of Remembrance - Second World War, Canada ; and
3. On Canada's Bomber Command Memorial at the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum, Nanton, Alberta, Canada.