TIMMINS – In April 25, 1945 an RAF Lancaster bomber was shot down over Austria. On board were Canadians Wilfrid DeMarco from Timmins and Sgt. Gordon Victor Walker of King City. Seventy years later a commemoration is being put together for this lost crew and Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is working with the RAF squadron researcher to try and locate family members.
The men were part of a raid of 360 allied bombers attacked Hitler’s “Eagle Nest” at Berchtesgadan. Twenty-four-year-old Wilfrid DeMarco of Timmins was flying bomber (S/N LM756) when they were shot down over Adnet Austria. There were four Canadians and three English in the crew.
A commemoration ceremony is planned for April 25, 2015, the 70th anniversary of this crash. Historical researcher David Young of 619 Squadron is looking to locate family members of pilot DeMarco from Timmins and 25-year-old rear gunner Gordon Walker (son of Cecil and Annie May Walker) from King City.
MP Charlie Angus says it would be wonderful if the family members could be part of this commemoration.
“I have been in contact with the researcher in the UK about the Timmins connection. I think it is important that we reach out to contact the families of both both Mr. DeMarco and Mr. Walker These were young men in the prime of their lives who made the ultimate sacrifice. As a nation we made a commitment to them: at the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will remember them.”
If you have contact information please forward it to either MP Charlie Angus: [email protected] Or 619 Research squadron David Young: [email protected]
