Manser, Jack Purcell

Dates:
Autumn of 1907 to 25 September 1944

War Service:
Flying Officer (Air Gunner) 118342 JACK PURCELL MANSER Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve served with 576 Squadron and died on 25 September 1944, aged 37.

Throughout the summer of 1944 the Squadron flew operations in support of the advancing Allies. Many of these operations were carried out in daylight. At 1635 on 25 September Avro Lancasters of 576 Squadron took off from RAF Elsham Wolds in Lincolnshire to bomb Calais, whose German defenders were still holding out. One aircraft was shot down and six of its crew were killed, including F/O Manser. Only one survived but he succeeded in evading capture and got back to the British lines.

At 37 Jack Manser was above the average age for bomber aircrew.

He is buried in Boulogne Eastern cemetery.

Location of Memorial:
He is also remembered on the memorial at Lewisham United Reformed Church.

Details:
He was born in Lewisham in the autumn of 1907, the son of Albert Charles and May Clara Manser and husband of Shirley Veronica Manser, of Hampstead.

Source:

Contributed By: Andy Pepper

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