Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1921 in the Wantage R.D. - ref: 2c/581, the
son of William J & Elizabeth E. Cann (nee Goodwin).

1939 National Registration - No Trace, neither of him nor his parents.

His DFC was in recognition of his courage and devotion to duty during
operations to Sterkrade in October. Gazetted on 1st December 1944.

Flying with 156 Sqn, he was piloting a Lancaster M III – No.PB675 GT-C.  
He took off from RAF Upwood, Cambridgeshire at 16.05 hrs on the 17th
December 19144 for a bombing mission to Ulm, Southern Germany.

The other crew members were F/O B.J. Wisby,  P/O R.V. Fisher DFM,  F/O J.W.
Hennessy.  W/O J. Lyons,  F/S D.S. Lowe,  F/S J.L.R. Remillard RCAF.  They
were all buried in Clichy New Communal Cemetery, France.

This was the only RAF bombing raid against Ulm during WW2.  It was against
the two large lorry factories of Magirus-Deutz and Kassbohrer, as well as
other industries, barracks, and depots in Ulm. The Gallwitz Barracks and
several military hospitals were among 14 Wehrmacht establishments
destroyed.  The raid killed 707 Ulm inhabitants and left 25,000 homeless
and after all the bombings, over 80% of the medieval city centre lay in
ruins.  1,449 tons of bombs were dropped during the 25 minute raid.