415 Squadron Association
BROOKS
Pilot Sgt Brooks
Navigator Sgt Hussey
WO/AG Sgt Rigby
WO/AG Sgt Jensen
BROUGHTON
Pilot P/O F.W. Broughton
Navigator Sgt J.M. Dawkins
WO/AG Sgt L. Ross
WO/AG Sgt J.B.M. McMillan
CAMPBELL Killed in Trg 18 Feb 1943
Pilot Sgt P.B. Campbell
Observer P/O K.R. Maffre
WO/AG Sgt Z.M. Niblock
WO/AG Sgt R.E. Vokey
CLASPER
Pilot Sgt H.R. Clasper
Navigator Sgt D.J. Cartridge
WO/AG Sgt M.L. Parker
WO/AG Sgt A.D. Donald
CLINE KIA 10 April 1943
Pilot F/Sgt G.A. Cline
Navigator F/O W.B. Keown (RAFVR)
WO/AG F/Sgt J.M. Ryan (RNZAF)
WO/AG Sgt A.M.J. Kelly
COATES KIA 24 September 1942
Pilot Sgt K. Coates (RAFVR)
Observer Sgt D.R. Bird (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt A.H. Gibbons (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt A. Higson (RAFVR)
COPPIN (1)
Pilot Sgt C.S. Coppin
Navigator P/O C. Smith
WO/AG Sgt J.E.L. Renaud
WO/AG Sgt T.H. Dickson
COPPIN (2)
Pilot F/Sgt C.S. Coppin
Navigator F/O A.W. Hornbrook
WO/AG Sgt N.S. Hastings
WO/AG Sgt M.L. Parker
WO/AG Sgt A.D. Donald
Lawrence, Vokey, Maffre, Sharp
McCALLUM KIA 27 June 1942
Pilot F/Sgt J. McCallum
Observer Sgt H.F Hasleden
WO/AG Sgt R.M. Neil
WO/AG Sgt L.H. Latimer
McCOMB KIA 30 July 1942
Pilot F/Sgt B.D.R. McComb
Observer F/Sgt M. Bloomfield
WO/AG Sgt R.M. Ennis
WO/AG Sgt J.H. Labelle
GRAINGER KIA 26 July 1943
Pilot F/Sgt R. Grainger (RAFVR)
Navigator Sgt A. Millican (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt T.A. Ivey
WO/AG Sgt R.B. MacKenzie
GRAYSTONE
Pilot F/Sgt C.S. Graystone
Navigator F/O T.M. Parnell
WO/AG Sgt A.S. Richards
WO/AG Sgt H.M.A. Schneider
HARRIS KIA 15 August 1943
Pilot S/L P.N. Harris, DFC (RAFVR)
Navigator P/O R.V. Procter (RAFVR)
WO/AG P/O A.G. Innes (RAF)
WO/AG Sgt G.H. Clemson (survived – he was replaced by Postode)
WO/AG F/Lt J.O. Bostock (RAFVR)
HARRIS
Pilot F/Lt P. Harris (RAF) (Harris & Seales were supernumery)
Navigator P/O M.J. Seales (RAF)
WO/AG F/Sgt W.M. Comba
WO/AG Sgt M. Staffanick
HERBERT Killed in Trg 12 March 1942
Pilot P/O J.R. Herbert
Observer F/O W.L. MacKay
WO/AG Sgt H.R. Hatfield
WO/AG Sgt A.T.P. Murtha
HILDEBRANDT
Pilot F/Sgt A.F. Hildebrandt
Navigator F/Sgt W. MacCausland
WO/AG Sgt N.S. Hastings
WO/AG Sgt W.K. Mailman
HOBBS
Pilot F/Lt A.C. Hobbs
Navigator F/Sgt C.R. Taylor
WO/AG Sgt F.W. Lobb
WO/AG Sgt J.H. Savoie
HURL Killed in Trg 19 March 1943
Pilot Sgt W.L. Hurl
Navigator F/O B.A. Johnson (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt W.C.R. Foerster
WO/AG Sgt R.H. O’Brien
JAMES KIA 1 July 1942
Pilot F/O G.G.O. James
Observer F/Sgt A.K. Farnie
WO/AG Sgt T. Gibbons
WO/AG F/Sgt G.A. Pearce
JAY Killed in Trg 23 March 1942
Pilot F/Sgt C.H. Jay
Observer Sgt P.G. O’Brien
WO/AG Sgt R.R. Oliver
WO/AG Sgt M.F. Ramsey
JONES
Pilot F/Lt M.E. Jones
Navigator F/O D.A. Ward
WO/AG F/O J.M. Teakles
WO/AG P/O R.P. Vaughan
Hill, Bean, Chessel, Cornish
EWING
Pilot P/O D.F. Ewing
Navigator 1/Lt H. Pinckes (US)
WO/AG Sgt E. Steele
WO/AG Sgt M.R. Jones
GARFIN KIA 27 June 1942
Pilot F/Sgt I.W. Garfin
Observer Sgt Billard (Did not fly that day)
Observer Sgt V.B. Whelpley
WO/AG Sgt B.A. Dakin
WO/AG Sgt D. Pearce
GATES
Pilot P/O R.O. Gates
Navigator P/O V.T. Rice
WO/AG P/O D.D. Stemp
WO/AG Sgt M.E. Smith
GIBSON
Pilot F/Lt M.W. Gibson
Navigator Sgt A.R. Armitage
WO/AG Sgt R. McGilvray
WO/AG Sgt F. Ladd
GODFREY
Pilot P/O J.N. Godfrey KIA - Crash landing 1 November 1942
Navigator P/O R.G. Frederick
WO/AG Sgt D.M. Coates
WO/AG Sgt R.A. Clarke
REIGATE Killed in Trg 11 March 1943
Pilot Sgt J.N. Reigate
Navigator Sgt D.T. Hodgson (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt J.H.M. Ker
WO/AG Sgt J.A.E. St.Laurent
RIDGEWAY
Pilot P/O B.H. Ridgeway
Observer P/O J.R. Murray
WO/AG Sgt F.A. Steele
WO/AG Sgt G.E. Pratt
RIDLEY KIA 24 June 1942
Pilot F/Sgt J.A. Ridley
Observer F/Sgt R.W. Veit
WO/AG Sgt H.A. Clarson
WO/AG Sgt G.O. Klarner
RITSCHER Killed in Trg 6 Sept 1943
Pilot P/O R.E. Ritscher
Navigator P/O C.A. Wondolowski (not on board)
WO/AG P/O O.K. Main
WO/AG Sgt H.J. Hanson
RIVERS
Pilot F/Sgt L.W. Rivers
Navigator P/O A.F.G. Hughes
WO/AG P/O G. Nathan
WO/AG P/O H.E. Maguire
ROBSON Shot down 19 August 1943, POW
Pilot Sgt W.A. Robson (RAF)
Navigator Sgt H.G. Laverick (RAF)
WO/AG Sgt H.G. Gnam
WO/AG Sgt H.E. St-Jean
RUTTAN (1)
Pilot S/Ldr G.G. Ruttan
Navigator WO S. Grossman
WO/AG P/O D.I.R. Angus
WO/AG F/Sgt N.W. Lobb
RUTTAN (2) Commanding Officer
Pilot W/Cdr G.G. Ruttan, DSO
Navigator F/Sgt C. Ellwood
WO/AG P/O A.G. Smith, DFM
WO/AG Sgt W.C. Norquay
Fredericks, Godfrey, Coates, Clarke
Crummy, Clegg, Trask, Stronach
Barclay, Chapman, Heffernan, McMillan
Houldsworth, Dennis, Altstedter, Stallard
L-R Sgt Grant Ellergodt, F/Sgt Samuel Grosman, Sgt E.H. Johnston,
Sgt Albert Glass
LIVINGSTON
Pilot F/Sgt Livingston
Observer Sgt Hunter
WO/AG Sgt Kent
WO/AG Sgt Kinch
MACKIE
Pilot P/O P.D. Mackie
Observer P/O E. McFarland
WO/AG Sgt J.L.A. Champoux
WO/AG Sgt V.W. Eldridge
MAHN KIA 04 June 1942
Pilot P/O F.H Mahn (survived)
Observer F/Sgt J.W. Stirling
WO/AG Sgt W. Peebles
WO/AG Sgt E. Thomas
McBRIDE POWs 7 November 1942
Pilot F/Sgt R.F McBride
Navigator Sgt A.M.H. Robertson
WO/AG Sgt P.R. Ramage
WO/AG Sgt G.W. Clubb
BRIGGS
Pilot F/Sgt C.E. Briggs
Observer F/Sgt J. McIlrath
WO/AG F/Sgt P.H. Blandford
WO/AG Sgt G.K. Crummy
Navigator F/O M.F. Baird (replaced McIlrath)
COWAN
Pilot S/Ldr E.W. Cowan
Navigator Sgt G.J. Jobe
WO/AG Sgt R. McCloy
WO/AG Sgt R. Urban
CROSS
Pilot P/O C.D. Cross
Observer Sgt S.E. Grossman
WO/AG Sgt R. Zumar
WO/AG Sgt G.K. Summers
Navigator P/O W.H. Main (replaced Grossman)
DEL CAMPO
Pilot P/O M. Del Campo
Navigator P/O A.W. Hornbrook
WO/AG P/O R.A. Gauthier
WO/AG Sgt J. Bileskie
DENNIS Command 6 August 1942
Pilot S/Ldr R. Dennis
Navigator P/O Altstedter
WO/AG Sgt D.A. Stallard
WO/AG P/O A.G. Houldsworth
EVANS Command 16 March 1943
Pilot W/C G.H.D. Evans
Navigator F/O W.H. Main (Replaced by Wallace)
Navigator F/O T. Wallace
WO/AG Sgt E.H. Smith, DFM
WO/AG F/O D.N. Fleming
Metcalf, Adams, Leblanc, Sutton
WURTELE (2)
Pilot W/C E.L. Wurtele
Navigator P/O A.W. Troup
WO/AG F/L R.R. Dennis
WO/AG Sgt H.R. Marks
Wurtele, Troup, Dennis, Marks
Gus Angus, Joe Baird, Wurtele, Tiny Bostock, Bully the mascot
T L to R: F/O Peter Dennis Mackie, Sgt Victor Eldridge, Sgt Joseph Lucien Anatole Champoux and F/O Eric MacFarland.
SUMNER
Pilot F/Lt J.R. Sumner
Navigator Sgt H.E. Davies
WO/AG Sgt J.F.C. Cabot
WO/AG Sgt L. Arter
415 Squadron Crews – Hampden Era – 1942 to 1943
Last Update 5 Jan 2019
The first 415 Squadron crews commenced their operational training on the Bristol Beaufort, an effective torpedo-bomber, with a four member crew. These planes were quickly reclaimed by the RAF and for a short period the obsolete Bristol Blenheim took their place. By late 1941, the Handley Page Hampden was being withdrawn from Bomber Command operations and many of these aircraft were adapted by Coastal Command for the torpedo-bomber role. In January 1942 the Squadron converted to the Hampden and crews continued their operational training ultimately flying the Squadron‘s first operational mission on 21 April 1942.
Crews consisted of four personnel: a pilot, navigator or observer and two wireless operators/air gunners. Crew information, included crew photos, has been gathered through multiple sources. The rank shown is that which was assigned to the member at the time the crew was formed. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the reporting of 415 Squadron Hampden crews. However, as the Squadron grew there were many changes to crew composition. There were also a large number of losses, both training and operational, many of which were the result of operating antiquated aircraft. As a result, some Squadron members flew on multiple crews and some crews were actually reformed part way through a tour of duty.
Any errors or omissions that may be found in the information listed below are not intentional. The 415 Squadron Association would be pleased to receive any input, including additional crew photos, which would enhance the accuracy of this record.
ADAMS
Pilot P/O W.H. Adams, DFC
Navigator Sgt B.F. Sutton
WO/AG Sgt W.C. Metcalfe
WO/AG Sgt T.A. Leblanc
RUTTAN (3) Commanding Officer
Pilot W/Cdr G.G. Ruttan, DSO
Navigator F/O A.W. Hornbrook
WO/AG P/O R.A. Swainston
WO/AG Sgt D.K. Stroud
SARGENT KIA 29 May 1942
Pilot P/O D.H. Sargent
Navigator P/O M. Edwards
WO/AG F/Sgt J.A. McWilliams
WO/AG Sgt A.F. Conway
SAVAGE
Pilot Sgt W.R.R. Savage
Navigator P/O F.A. Brockwell
WO/AG Sgt J.E. Mason
WO/AG Sgt S.J. Babyn
SENECAL
Pilot P/O J.H. Senecal
Navigator P/O T. Burtch
WO/AG P/O J. Legan
WO/AG Sgt F.E. Dorken
SMITH
Pilot F/O G.L. Smith
Navigator F/Sgt E.J. Rowe
WO/AG P/O O.W. Boville
WO/AG F/Sgt H. Walters
STRONACH KIA 14 June 1943
Pilot S/Ldr J.G. Stronach
Navigator WO1 W.A. Trask
WO/AG P/O J.A. Town (Killed on GLC Flight 10 Apr 43)
WO/AG P/O A.B. Clegg
WO/AG F/O G.K. Crummy (Replaced Sgt Town)
Left to right: Bud Robertson, Paul Ramage, Bob McBride and Gordon Clubb.
L/R: Sgt J.F.C. Cabot, F/Sgt H.E. Davies, F/Lt J.R Sumner, Sgt L. Arter
McGEE KIA 17 May 1943
Pilot F/Sgt L.E. McGee
Navigator F/O L.G. Burgess (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt E.J. Ramey
WO/AG Sgt G.B. Jackson
McLEOD Shot down 23 March 1943
Pilot F/O J.D.P. McLeod (POW)
Navigator P/O C.M. Chambers (KIA)
WO/AG Sgt W.W.E. Haddock (POW)
WO/AG P/O D.H. Wraith (POW)
McMILLAN (1)
Pilot P.O W.D. McMillan
Navigator P/O J.K. Chapman
WO/AG F/Sgt J.R. Barclay
WO/AG Sgt D.J. Heffernan
McMILLAN (2)
Pilot F.O W.D. McMillan
Navigator F/O J.K. Chapman
WO/AG F/Sgt C.S.V. Kent
WO/AG Sgt D.I.C. Kinch
Navigator P/O G.A. Taylor X 2
McNEIL-WATSON
Pilot Sgt D.B. McNeil-Watson
Navigator P/O W. Tyler
WO/AG Sgt E.S. Roberts
WO/AG Sgt A.F. Wright
MONTGOMERY Killed in Trg 3 April 1943
Pilot Sgt D. Montgomery
Navigator Sgt W.J. MacKay
WO/AG Sgt J.W. Whipple
WO/AG Sgt J.D. Scott
PEEL
Pilot W/O H.W. Peel
Navigator P/O R.B. Walker
WO/AG Sgt A.E. Dowie
WO/AG Sgt M.P. Wilson
PERRY
Pilot F/Sgt R.A. Perry
Navigator P/O D.T. Wood
WO/AG Sgt E.R. Saunders
WO/AG Sgt J.S. Young
PILKINGTON
Pilot F/O W.G. Pilkington
Navigator F/Lt R.S. Arrand
WO/AG Sgt W.N. MacEachearn
WO/AG Sgt I.R. Parliament
Teakles, Jones, Vaughan, Ward
Crummy, McIlrath, Briggs, Blandford
Glass, Brenner, Vautier, Rowe
KEILLER
Pilot F/O H.G. Keiller
Navigator P/O C.A. Wondolowaski
WO/AG W/O E. Dorval
WO/AG Not Assigned
LAWRENCE
Pilot P/O G.H. Lawrence
Navigator P/O K.R. Maffre
WO/AG Sgt L.S. Sharp
WO/AG F/Sgt R.E. Vokey
BOYTON KIA 4 October 1942
Pilot Sgt C.R. Boyton (RAAF)
Observer P/O J.H. Barton (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt J.F. Maher (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt J.G. Stuckless (RAFVR)
BRENNER (1)
Pilot F/O A.B. Brenner
Observer F/Sgt E.L.L. Rowe
WO/AG Sgt G.K. Summers
WO/AG Sgt R. Zumar
BRENNER (2)
Pilot F/O A.B. Brenner
Observer F/Sgt E.L.L. Rowe
WO/AG Sgt E.A. Vautier (RAF) (replaced by Stroud)
WO/AG Sgt H.A. Stroud
WO/AG Sgt H.E. Bowman
Parliament, MacEachearn, Arrand, Pilkington
ARMSTRONG
Pilot F/O R. Armstrong
Navigator F/O H.R.D.S. Cuddon
WO/AG Sgt J. Maher
WO/AG Sgt J. Bileski
ARNOLD Killed in Trg 9 Sept 1943
Pilot P/O R.S. Arnold
Navigator P/O C.E. Coons
WO/AG Sgt D.K. Stroud
WO/AG P/O R.A. Swainston (not on board when accident occurred)
ASHFIELD
Pilot Sgt K.T. Ashfield
Navigator Sgt G.N. Brown
WO/AG Sgt B.W. Forbes
WO/AG Sgt J.S. Buchanan
BATCHELOR Killed in Trg 11 June 1943
Pilot Sgt F.U. Batchelor (RAF)
Navigator P/O S. Viatkin (RAF)
WO/AG Sgt E.H. Johnston
Fitter 2E LAC E.J. Dockendorff
BATTEN
Pilot F/Sgt R.L. Batten
Navigator Sgt C. Ellwood
WO/AG Sgt A.C. Smith
WO/AG Sgt H.A. Stroud
BEAN Command 11 November 1942
Pilot S/Ldr W.W. Bean
Navigator P/O N.W.G. Hill
WO/AG P/O T.N. Chessell
WO/AG Sgt W.R. Cornish
Roy Ennis, Mandle Bloomfield, Bud McComb, Jack Labelle
DONALD (1)
Pilot F/Sgt J.C. Donald
Navigator Sgt C.A. Brown
WO/AG Sgt T.V. Sullivan
WO/AG Sgt S. Price
DONALD (2)
Pilot P/O J.C. Donald (Killed from injuries a mid-air collision 24 April 1943))
Navigator Sgt C.A. Brown
WO/AG Sgt A Glass
WO/AG Sgt R.H. Johnston
ELLERGODT
Pilot Sgt G.O. Ellergodt
Navigator F/Sgt S.E. Grosman
WO/AG Sgt E.H. Johnson
WO/AG Sgt A. Glass
ENNS
Pilot P/O J.A. Enns
Navigator P/O W.C.L. De Pelham
WO/AG Sgt R.F. Morrison
WO/AG Sgt H. Calvert
TAGUE
Pilot 2/Lt M.F. Tague (US)
Navigator Sgt P. Clarkson
WO/AG Sgt K.A. Roche
WO/AG Sgt G.A. Slater
THOMSON
Pilot P/O D.C. Thomson
Navigator P/O A.H. Bartlett
WO/AG Sgt R.F. Wells
WO/AG F/O M.W. Cole
TIPPET KIA 20 November 1942
Pilot Sgt A.J. Tippet (RAAF)
Pilot P/O J.J. Lynn (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt D.L.G. Millar (RNZAF)
WO/AG Sgt R. J. Sleep (RNZAF)
WALTER KIA 16 July 1943
Pilot F/Sgt R. Walter (RAFVR)
Navigator P/O V.C.J. Steer (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt H.A. Huntington
WO/AG Sgt J.L.L. Janisse
WATHEN KIA 17 May 1943
Pilot P/O K.C. Wathen (RAAF)
Navigator F/O J.M. Crawford (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt M.D. Maxwell (survived on course – replaced by Sgt Sykes)
WO/AG Sgt J.H. Steward (RAFVR)
WO/AG Sgt I.M. Sykes (RNZAF)
WATT
Pilot Sgt R.H. Watt
Navigator F/O A.F. Boyd
WO/AG F/O R.A. Gauthier
WO/AG Sgt H.J. Mihell
WURTELE (1) Commanding Officer
Pilot W/C E.L. Wurtele
Navigator P/O J. Baird
WO/AG F/Lt Bostock
WO/AG F/Sgt G. Angus