589

F/SGT. DURWARD:

2.

and Turin (3) in Italy. He also took part in two mine laying
operations.

On the night of the 21st/22nd January, 1943, F/Sgt.
Durward was Wireless Operator Air Gunner of a Lancaster bomber
which took off to attack the target in Essen in Germany. The
aircraft failed to return to the base, and all the members
of the crew, including F/Sgt. Durward were reported missing.
This was his 17th operational flight. Information was later
received from the International Red Cross Committee, through
a German source, that F/Sgt. Durward had lost his life on the
21st January, 1943, and was buried in the Central Cemetery,
Dortmund, Prisoner of War Section. He was classified to
missing believed killed and in due course his death was
officially presumed. There were two other New Zealanders
in the crew, Sergeant P.T.W. Wiltshire of Christchurch and
Flight Sergeant K.S. Kibble of Greymouth.

5/15/1112 AS2
345 Hours as Wireless Operator Gunner

Mrs. S. Durward (M)
Main Street,
REEFTON.