Leslie Amos Thorpe

Rank:Flying Officer (Nav)Number:163879
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No:418 (R.C.A.F.) Sqn RAFVR
Name of Rgt or Ship:Fighter Command
Died:22/02/1945Age:22
How Died:Killed in Action
Country of burial:NetherlandsGrave Photo:Yes
Cemetery or Memorial:Nieuwe-Schans General Cemetery
Town Memorial:Trafford Park
Extra Information:
Born during the December quarter 1923 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. - ref:
8c/911, the son of Amos & Rose Ethel Thorpe (nee Gibson), 24 Bold Street,
Altrincham.

F/O Thorpe was on an afternoon patrol over Osnabrück in a Mosquito Mark lV
- No. PZ397 'R', taking part in "Operation Clarion".   The a/c was piloted
by F/Lt H.M. Hope when they were shot down over Groningen, Holland.   Both
airmen died and are both buried at Nieuwe-Schans, Holland.

Operation Clarion was the destruction of German traffic centres in smaller
cities and the marshalling yard in Hildesheim was targeted during the
afternoon of the 22nd February 1945.   Due to good weather and clear sight
the marshalling yard was heavily damaged and the city itself received
considerable damage: 102 houses were completely destroyed, 106 houses and
two churches suffered severe damage.   998 houses and four churches were
slightly damaged and some 250 people were killed.

His death was reported in the 21st September 1945 edition of the Sale &
Stretford Guardian.

M.I. - "Greater love hath no man than this, that he giveth his life for his
friends".
Memorials found on:
Alt Grammar School - 145 Squadron A.T.C.
Stretford Grammar School
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