Soldier from the Sky

 

Mrs Susan Clark          5 November 2012

 

On  November 21 1944  Edgar Clark, an RAF Flight Engineer seconded to the Royal Canadian Air Force and stationed in Yorkshire was killed when his Halifax bomber was shot down over Dusseldorf on a night time raid on a refinery.

The family had no more information until in 2005 they investigated the CAF website and discovered the tail gunner who had survived the crash, been taken prisoner and became a doctor when he returned to Canada. He was able to give them names of the crew and other details. They then learned that the engine had been found and preserved and also that other plane parts had been recovered, and a  german historian had identified cemetery records. They visited Germany and met eye witnesses of the disaster and from photographs were able to learn the fate of the crew members. A retired judge had a detailed report from the crew of the german plane which shot down the Halifax. The engine has been preserved in a local museum and a plaque gives the names of crew members. Through their research they have made many friends.