Authors seeking information about Lorne Thomas Pritchard, who flew in the famous Dambusters Raid of World War II

MOOSE JAW – Two writers search for information about former resident Lorne Thomas Pritchard, a World War II airman who took part in the famous Dambusters Raid and was later shot down and captured in France.

Ten years ago, researcher Dr Trevor Kerry discovered three graves of airmen who had flown during the war from a base near his home in Lincolnshire, UK, in the cemetery of the French village of Leulinghem.

These men belonged to the 617th Dambusters Squadron and had been on a bombing raid to drop a 5,400 kilogram (12,000 pound) Tallboy bomb on a V-bomb launch site at Wizernes in northern France.

Pilot John Edward and gunners Sam Isherwood and Tom Price were buried at Leulinghem, while flight engineer Bill King and gunner Ian Johnston were buried at nearby St. Omer; three others survived.

The crash in northern France occurred on June 24, 1944, 18 days after Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

In Leulinghem, historian Gaetan Sagot organized a commemoration of the 80th anniversary and Kerry agreed to collaborate and write a book about the history of the occupation.

“We are now filling gaps in research. The Bomber Command Museum of Canada has provided information on three Canadians: Price from Moncton (NB), Johnston from Englehart (Ontario) and Pritchard,” Kerry told the Express by email. “(However, records on Lorne Thomas Pritchard are sparse.)”

The authors know that Pritchard was a native of Moose Jaw, was drafted in Calgary, was a nurse, moved into flight training and became a navigator. He had a distinguished career with the same crew members in 50 Squadron before moving to 617 Squadron.

For his navigational skills, Pritchard was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), the third highest military decoration of the United Kingdom and Canada.

When the crew's Lancaster DV403 bomber crashed in late June 1944, the Germans immediately captured Pritchard and took him to the Stalag Luft 1 prisoner of war camp. He returned home in 1945.

According to Pritchard's mission report, his crew was flying at 18,000 feet when their bomber was hit in the port wing, causing a fire in the inner port engine. Pritchard checked his crew and found the flight engineer dead and the bomber slightly wounded.

Pilot Edward tried to keep the plane in the air, but eventually ordered everyone to evacuate the plane. The bombardier and Pritchard were able to exit the plane safely.

“After the parachute opened, I saw the plane spinning beneath me and also saw the port wings bend and bend upward,” the Moose Javian recalled. “I was picked up immediately after landing by eleven Germans because they followed me until I hit the deck.”

The Germans also captured the bombardier who had landed at St. Omer, while they captured the bombardier, who suffered a broken right leg, right arm and left hand, as well as burns to his face. The bombardier had no information on the other crew members, except that he thought the pilot's seat was empty when he jumped.

The Germans later told Pritchard that they had found Edward's dog tag in the wreckage.

“From (his return) we have no record of him other than a small note that he died in 1966,” Kerry said. “We would like to fill in the gap (from) 1945 to 1966 (including) where he lived, where he worked, photos of him, anything that brings his story to life.”

The authors have attempted to contact the families of the crew members and gather information from people who knew the crew members. They would like to hear from anyone else in Moose Jaw who can tell them about Pritchard's life after his return from the war. They will cite the information they receive as their source.

Anyone with information can email Kerry at [email protected].

Trevor Kerry is an English educationalist who was Branch Secretary of the Royal Aeronautical Society RAF Cranwell, while Gaetan Sago is a French historian. They write for Pen and Sword Books.