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Sgt. John Lewis
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 44 Sqdn.
from:Lampeter
(d.25th Jun 1944)
Johnny Lewis was a Sergeant Air Gunner, 1445360, RAF Volunteer Reserve. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Lewis from Lampeter, Cardiganshire, Wales. He served with 44 Squadron RAF which was equipped with the Avro Lancaster BIII based at RAF Dunholme Lodge. He was killed when his Lancaster was shot down over France on 25th June 1944. Johnny is buried at Criquetot-Sur-Longueville Churchyard with six other colleagues:
Pilot Officer Douglas Earl Aiken Sunday, 25 June 1944 23 J/85822 Royal Canadian Air Force 44 (Royal Air Force) Squadron British Plot. Grave 2. Joint grave.
Sergeant John Hare Sunday, 25 June 1944 21 1439383 Royal Air Force 44 (Royal Air Force) Squadron British Plot. Grave 4. Joint grave.
Sergeant Horace Arnold Lewarne Sunday, 25 June 1944 Unknown 1279022 Royal Air Force 44 (Royal Air Force) Squadron British Plot. Grave 4. Joint grave.
Sergeant Johnny Lewis Sunday, 25 June 1944 22 1445360 Royal Air Force 44 (Royal Air Force) Squadron British Plot. Grave 1.
Flight Sergeant Frank Sidney Rawson Sunday, 25 June 1944 22 1324690 Royal Air Force 44 (Royal Air Force) Squadron British Plot. Grave 3. Joint grave. Warrant Officer Class II Robert Alexander Riddoch Sunday, 25 June 1944 23 R/172357 Royal Canadian Air Force 44 (Royal Air Force) Squadron British Plot. Grave 3. Joint grave.
Pilot Officer Alfred Montague Simmons Sunday, 25 June 1944 Unknown J/89960 Royal Canadian Air Force 44 (Royal Air Force) Squadron British Plot. Grave 2. Joint grave.
The crew's missions started in April 1944 until the 24/25th June 1944. List of missions for June is as follows:
2nd June 1944: Lancaster B1 ND869 KM-M. Attack on Wimereux
5-6th June 1944: Lancaster BIII ND751 KM-J. Attack on La Pernelle
6-7th June 1944: Lancaster BIII ND751 KM-J. Attack on Caen
8-9th June 1944: Lancaster BIII ND751 KM-J. Attack on Pontaubault
9-10th June 1944: Lancaster BIII ND751 KM-J. Attack on Etampes
12-13th June 1944: Lancaster BIII ND751 KM-J. Attack on Caen
24-25th June 1944: Lancaster BIII ND751 KM-J. Attack on Pommereval
Weather was fine but slightly hazy on the evening of 24th June 1944. 15 aircraft were detailed to carry out a bombing attack on Pommereval. P/S Oswald and P/O Aiken crews were reported missing without trace from this operation. All other aircraft reached and bombed the target successfully and returned to base safely.
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