John Ward Standish

Lancaster I ED550, with a crew of seven, took off from Langar at 2033 on 23 August 1943, one of over 700 aircraft which attacked Berlin that night. Twelve of the aircraft were from Langar, leaving between 20.15 and 20.43.

For reasons unknown, ED550 turned back and crashed at 2359 at Nieuw-Dodrecht (Drenche) in northern Holland, 8 km SE of Emmen, Holland. There was only one survivor, Julian George Walker (Flight Engineer), who was injured and taken prisoner of war.

John Standish, the Bomb Aimer, was buried in Emmen (Nieuw Dordrecht) General Cemetery (Plot 9. Row B. Grave 2).

The other five members of the crew who were also killed were buried in the same cemetery:
141331 P/O Cyril Peter Backlog, Navigator, RAFVR. Plot 9. Row B. Grave 3.
1390228 Sgt. Donald Fells, Air Gunner, RAFVR. Plot 9. Row B. Grave 6.
1552385 Sgt. Thomas Elder Charles McKeith, Air Gunner. RAFVR. Plot 9. Row B. Grave 5.
149557 P/O George William Osmer, Pilot. RAFVR. Plot 9. Row B. Grave 4.
1367967 Sgt. William Martin Ewing Reid, Wireless Operator. RAFVR. Plot 9. Row B. Grave 1.

The other members of the crew are commemorated on the RAF Langar Memorial and also on this Roll of Honour.

CWGC Additional information: Son of George G. and Annie Standish, of Halifax.