Date of birth:

June 11th, 1921 (Saltfleet/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

May 13th, 1943

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Graves Roman Catholic Cemetery Deurningen
Row: 1. Grave: 1-5.

Service number:

R/145781

Nationality:

Canadian

Charles was born on June 11 1921 in Saltfleet Ontario, the son of Harvey Moss Hildreth (deceased at age 45) and Clara Jane Hildreth nee Hendershott of Stoney Creek, Ontario. They were married on February 24 1908 in Binbrook Ontario. His brother was Hugh Wilburn Hildreth and his sister was Stella Matilda McIntosh.

He was a carpenter and member of the Methodist Church and his sports were football and hockey.

He enlisted on December 13 1941 in Hamilton Ontario and he went thereafter on November 5 1942 overseas to the UK.

Charles was killed in action on Thursday May 13 1943 age 21, just a month before his 22nd birthday due to a crash at the hamlet of Hasseleres near Deurningen/Weerselo before or after an attack on Duisburg in Germany. He was buried on May 15 1943 then in Deurningen. The other fallen RCAF crew members were F/O Raymond L. Baumgarten age 23 in grave 1-1-5, F/Sgt Alan E. Hatch age 22 in grave 1-1-5 and F/Sgt Douglas R. Horwood age 24 in grave 1-1-5. The other fallen RAF Volunteer Reserve crew member was Sgt William Leven age 20 in grave 1-1-5.

On his headstone: THOUGH YOU ARE GONE FROM AMONG US IN OUR HEARTS YOU REMAIN. MOTHER

He was awarded on September 25 1942 the Air Gunner’s Badge and he was awarded on July 9 1946 posthumously the RCAF Operational Wings and Certificate in recognition of gallant services in action against the enemy.

He and the other fallen crew members are mentioned since March 2020 at an information sign near the crash site on the occasion of 75 years of Freedom.

He served with the 428 Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force.

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