207 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORY

207 Squadron RAF Association - Corless crew ME683 EM-W
Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, 9th May 2005

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Adegem pages


The Canadian family members entered first to have time to find their loved ones


The Corless crew graves lie in plot XI row J graves 1-7
L-R: Somers - Corless (with wreath) - Mireault - Barnes - De Casagrande - Bore - Magoffin

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CORLESS CREW EM-W ME683

CORLESS, ALVIN VAN DYKE Canadian
Flying Officer (Pilot) RCAF 207 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

died 22/06/1944
Service No: J/26477
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI.J.2.
Lancaster ME683 EM-W

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SOMERS, BRUCE ALLAN Canadian
Flying Officer (Air Bomber) RCAF 207 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

Age: 22 died 22/06/1944
Service No: J/24022
Son of William John and Gretta Somers of Cache Bay, Ontario, Canada; Stepson of Mabel Somers,
of Cache Bay.
Grave/Memorial Reference: II.J.1.
Lancaster ME683 EM-W

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MIREAULT, JOSEPH FRANCIS Canadian
Sergeant (Air Gnr.) RCAF 207 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

died 22/06/1944
Service No: R/222600
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI.J.3.
Lancaster ME683 EM-W

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BARNES, KENNETH VICTOR
Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) RAFVR 207 Sqdn.

Age: 19 died 22/06/1944
Service No: 1867595
Son of Thomas Victor and Sarah Anne Barnes, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI.J.4.
Lancaster ME683 EM-W

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DE CASAGRANDE, RAPHAEL EDWARD
Sergeant (Nav.) RAFVR 207 Sqdn.

Age: 20 died: 22/06/1944
Service No: 1398843
Son of Raphael Edward and Mary Genevieve de Casagrande, of Palmers Green, London.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI.J.5.
Lancaster ME683 EM-W

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BORE, STANLEY ROBERT
Flight Sergeant (W. Op./Air Gnr.) RAFVR 207 Sqdn.

Age: 23 died 22/06/1944
Service No: 1289453
Son of Ernest Robert and Louisa Bore of Greenwich, London.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI.J.6.
Lancaster ME683 EM-W

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MAGOFFIN, JAMES IVAN Canadian
Sergeant (Air Gnr.) RCAF 207 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

died 22/06/1944
Service No: R/191611
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI.J.7.
Lancaster ME683 EM-W


Kevin Mapley with our Canadian friends come to honour their kin


Jim Alkins talks of the significance of the visit to his family after
Kevin Mapley laid the wreath to the crew at Alvin Corless's grave


The Alkins brothers with Norah Alkins and
Kevin Mapley at Alvin Corless's grave


Sgt Ivan Magoffin RCAF: Yvonne Gray and Ferne Melvin with a Belgian friend at their brother's grave


F/O Bruce Somers RCAF: Norah Alkins at her brother's grave

F/O Bruce Somers' nephews

Nephew of F/O Bruce Somers, Jim Alkins, with his brother Bill accompanied their mother, Bruce's sister Norah, on the visit. Jim told us: "It is difficult to come together as a group and tour cemeteries and visit grave sites of lost family and friends and in some cases people we never had a chance to know. The trip has provided a great opportunity to travel with members of the Squadron and to hear their wartime stories.

We have gained an understanding of the wartime experiences which in many ways has brought “life” to those relatives lost during the war. It is comforting to visit the gravesites and know that our family and friends lost during the war are being well looked after. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet all the people on the tour and thank Kevin Mapley and Frank Haslam for all their efforts in organizing what has been a great trip."


F/O Bruce Somers
source: Bill Alkins

images: Haslam, Bill Alkins
last update 3 Aug 05: 18 Nov 17