Roll of Honour

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Name GASCOYNE
First names John Patrick
Rank F/Sgt
Service RAF
Service number 1868804
Crew position Air Gunner
Age 23
Date of death 21/02/45
Cemetery Reichswald Forest cemetery Kleve Germany

Photographed by Malcolm Brooke
21/22 February, 1945; GRAVENHORST (MITTELLAND CANAL): A force of 165
Lancasters led by 12 Mosquitoes (all 5 Group) sallied forth once again in an attempt to breach the Mittelland Canal. This time in clear visibility the attack was successful. Of the 165 Lancasters sent to Gravenhorst, 13 had failed to return and two of those were from 49 Squadron. F/O Mallinson (PB568) and crew flying their 35th operation were posted missing... a severe blow to the Squadron's morale.
A few weeks later, much to everyone’s relief, six of Mallinson's crew were reported as being PoW's. It appears however, that Eberley and Makofski managed to evade capture. The one unfortunate crew member to lose his life was F/Sgt John Gascoyne A/G; he is buried in the Reichwald War Cemetery.

Lancaster PB568 (EA-Y)
F/O R. Mallinson Pilot (P.o.W.)

Sgt E. Stansill F/E (P.o.W.)
P/O H. Eberley RCAF NAV (Evaded)
F/S N.H. Makofski W/OP (Evaded)
P/O F.E. Grimsdale A/G (P.o.W.)
F/S Le Marquand B/A (P.o.W.)
F/S J.P. Gascoyne A/G (Killed)

Crew on their 35th operation