• Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)

Date of birth:

September 24th, 1919 (New Westminster/British Columbia, Canada)

Date of death:

July 5th, 1952 (British Columbia, Canada)

Service number:

53561

Nationality:

Canadian

William Gordon Radcliffe, born in New Westminster, British Columbia on 24 September 1919, traveled to England in 1939 to join the RAF as a ground crew mechanic. In 1942, he trained as a flight engineer, qualifying in July before joining 97 Squadron.

Radcliffe, known for carrying a stuffed panda bear mascot on every mission, completed his first operation on 10 September 1942. He completed a full tour in 97 Squadron before transferring to 617 Squadron in March 1943.

During the Dams Raid, Radcliffe’s expertise was crucial as the crew, delayed by a last-minute aircraft change, rushed to make up lost time, reaching the Sorpe Dam just nine minutes behind schedule.

He continued flying with 617 Squadron, earning a commission in November 1943 and a DFC in June 1944. After leaving operations, he served in training units until his return to Canada in February 1945.

Post-war, Radcliffe worked as a Customs and Excise Officer and assisted RCAF Reserve recruitment. He died in a car accident on 5 July 1952, when his vehicle plunged into the Fraser River—likely due to a blackout. His ashes were scattered over Burnaby Mountain.
Radcliffe had married Joyce Palfreyman, an English WAAF, and they had three children. After his death, Joyce returned to the UK with their children to be close to her family.

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• Photo 1: Daily Express
• - Dambusters
  - The London Gazette

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