Bancroft, Ernest Walter

Date of birth:: February 11th, 1921 (Simcoe/Ontario, Canada)
Date of death:: September 20th, 1944
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Arnhem Oosterbeek
Plot: 4. Row: A. Grave: 10.
Service number:: R/152458
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Ernest was born on February 11 1921 in Simcoe Ontario, the son of Ernest Wilson Bancroft (deceased in 1943) and Mary Estella Bancroft nee Stickle of Welland Ontario. They were married in 1906 in Nelles Corners Ontario. He was married on November 7 1942 in New Toronto with Shirley Patricia Bancroft nee Cook of New Toronto. His brother was David Fredrick Bancroft and his sisters were Mrs. Estella Lucile Varey, Mrs. Ida Margaret McKillop and Ms. Mary Helen Bancroft.

He was a shipper and member of the Church of England and his sports were basketball, rugby, lacrosse, gymnastics, swimming and tennis.

He enlisted on February 7 1942 in Hamilton Ontario and he went thereafter on December 18 overseas to the UK.
Ernest was killed in action on Wednesday September 20 age 23 due to a crash at 'De Branding' in Doorwerth during operation Market Garden. He was temporarily buried then in Renkum before being reburied on August 24 1945 in Oosterbeek.

His other fallen RCAF crew member was W/O I William Tait age 23 in grave 4-D-20. The other fallen RAF crew member was F/Sgt Andrew J. Murphy in grave 4-A-11-13. The other fallen Volunteer Reserve crew members F/Sgt Cyril Mabbott and F/Sgt Terence B. Cragg age 21 were buried in the same grave 4-A-11-13. The other fallen RAF Volunteer Reserve crew member was P/O Donovan G. Benning age 22 in grave 4-A-9. The fallen British RASC crew member was Dvr. Gordon Neale age 18 in grave 1-C-1. And the British RASC crew member Dvr. L.C. Nye survived the crash and he became then a prisoner of war.

He served with the 196 (R.A.F.) Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!