Hello James,
Welcome to TOCH.
Firstly, could you help clear up a problem I have with the family name, ie "DELATORRE". It is my understanding that it was "De La TORRE". Clarification would be welcomed.
Prior to his death, on 3 March, 1943, your Grandfather was involved in the following incident:
13-14 February 1943
No.207 Sqn
Lancaster I W4167:EM-Q
Op: Lorient.
Took off Langar. Crashed 0135 on return to base. Initially it was thought that the damage could be repaired, but following a technical inspection, the airframe was struck off charge on 2 Narch 1943, having flown 82.35 hours
657231 Sgt (Pilot) Peter EVISON RAFVR - Slight Injuries
626498 Sgt (Flt.Eng.) Raymond Walter Ernest HOLLEY RAF - Slight Injuries
AUS400896 Sgt (Nav.) Frank Elgar WITTMER RAAF - Slight Injuries (later DFC)
R/92287 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) William Victor WALLACE RCAF - OK
AUS402590 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr) Melville George DELATORRE RAAF - OK
1253760 Sgt (Air Gnr.) Lewis Reginald THOMPSON RAFVR - OK
R/85910 F/Sgt (Air Gnr.) Wiliiam Edward CAIN RCAF - OK
See:
Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War Vol.4, 1943
Chorley,W R.
Earl Shilton:Midland Counties Publications,1996
p.41 (corrected)
A fine tribute is paid to F/Sgt De La Torre, here:
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143780624
And a nice photo, here:
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P03913.001
Help with the surname would be appreciated.
Col.