| 04/03/2020 |
Sergeant John McCLEARY (1126145) Air Gunner |
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Flight Sergeant Noel Roy MEYER (405303) Pilot |
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Sergeant Harold EKIN (627523) Air Gunner |
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Flight Sergeant Benjamin John DAVIS (928365) Observer |
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Sergeant Anthony Frederick Phillip CURSETT-SUTHERLAND (923436) Wireless Operator |
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Flight Sergeant Joseph Mckay ATKINSON (R/66686) Wireless Operator |
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Wing Commander George Harcus SHEEHAN (37587) Pilot |
| 03/03/2020 |
By August 1942, Sergeant (Air Gunner) John McCleary was with 61 Squadron. |
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On the night of 24th August 1942, Sergeant McCleary was on board a Lancaster bomber (Serial No R5662) which took off on a night raid from RAF Syerston, north east of Nottingham. The target was Frankfurt, Germany. |
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On 25th August the aircraft crashed at Efferen, six kilometres south east of Cologne. All the crew were killed including Sergeant (Air Gunner) John McCleary. The crew were: |
| 03/03/2020 |
The crew were originally buried in Cologne South Cemetery. |
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They were reinterred on 15th May 1946 in a collective grave in Rheinberg War Cemetery in Germany. |
| 03/03/2020 |
Sergeant (Air Gunner) John McCleary is commemorated locally on Newmills Church of Ireland WW2 Plaque and on Dungannon War Memorial. |
| 03/03/2020 |
John McCleary served with Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in World War Two. |
