William Francis Millerd

15/16 May 1942 Hampden AD803 408 Sqn RAF Balderton took off at 22:35 was shot down near Endelave Island. South west of Samsø.

The German mine sweeper 190J was spotted and attacked with 250 pounds bombs, of which each aircraft carried two under the wings. One of the bombs hit the mine sweeper on the front deck but bounced off without exploding.

Flak from the mine sweeper hit AD803 and at approx. 02:00 it crashed burning into the sea. Floated for a while, and this allowed Pilot Sgt Copeman to get out of the wreck.

Sgt Howard Joseph Copeman RCAF - Injured

Sgt William Millerd RCAF - Drifted ashore near Odder and was laid to rest in Aarhus Vestre Cemetery on 15th September 1942. The German field Priest officiated at the graveside ceremony which was held with full military honours. The German Commandant Major
Kruse, two more officers and a military band participated as well as the Danish Chief Constable of Aarhus, a Danish officer, a sergeant and a private soldier. After a short ceremony in the chapel with the coffin covered by the British flag it was taken to the grave where three volleys was fired by a German guard of honour. (https://vgy.me/u/aZNrBi)

Sgt Norman Smith - Found in the sea off Koldby Kaas on 24th February 1943 and laid to rest in Tranebjerg cemetery on 25th February 1943. The Rev. N. E. Mikkelsen officiated at the graveside ceremony. Also attending were German Luftwaffe Officers.

F/Sgt Albert Smith RCAF - Missing.

Sgt Howard Joseph Copeman who was badly injured, picked up from the sea by the mine sweeper and taken to Aarhus. From Aarhus he was sent to Germany to Reservelazarett Obermassfeld and later to Kloster Haina Lazarett. After a while he was sent to Stalag Luft VI Heydekrug near the town that is now known as Kaliningrad. In September 1944 he was repatriated back to England onboard the ship “Gripsholm” due to his wounds. In October 1944 he returned to Canada on board “Lady Nielson”. Howie Copeman died on 2/4/2008, aged 86.