P/O Carson John Foy RCAF

[Dave Bobbiggles]

Help!

We've been asked if we can provide any details regarding the loss of Pilot Officer Carson John Foy (Air Gunner) and the rest of the crew serving on Lancasters with No.61 Squadron. His date of death is recorded as 25th July 1944 and he is buried in the Fotenany-le-fleury Communial Cemetery.

Although we can find his details on the CWGC site and his name appears in Volume 9 Roll of Honour in RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War by W R Chorley, we cannot find any loss details in the 1944 volume.

Any additional information would be very much appreciated regarding the loss, what happened to the rest of his crew etc?

Thank you very

Dave Brocklehurst

Kent Battle of Britain Museum

[Andy Saunders]

Dave

Carson John FOY (J90347/R161895) was the only casualty when the rear turret on his Lancaster (LM481) was knocked off by a bomb from another aircraft above. The Lancaster returned safely to England (61 Squadron) and the rest of the crew were unhurt.

I have photo of the Lanc, minus turret, plus the surviving crew.

Also have ORB details.

Pleased to be of assistance.

[Andy Saunders]

I am led to believe that this is the aircraft, although I am not certain.

Only low-res I am afraid.

Let me know if this helps.

(Not exactly within your Battle of Britain period...!!)

[Andy Saunders]

When contributors to this forum offer and provide information, images and data in response to queries from others it is generally the accepted norm, and a matter of common courtesy, that the originator of the query who has been assisted will post his thanks and acknowledgement. After all, there are a great many here who go to considerable lengths to help others as part of the 'community spirit' which this forum is all about.

When one discovers that the enquirer has been back to the forum and clearly seen and used the information provided it is bad form that they should then fail to make any acknowledgement of the help they have been given.

[Chris Goss]

Couldn't agree more, Andy. A number of times I have helped out and never heard a dickie bird in response only to see the question being asked again or the information used without thanks. It might come as a surprise but many of us do have better things to do such as our own reaserch or day job!

[Col Bruggy]

Hi Andy,

Your photo of the turretless Lancaster is not the one in which P/O Foy lost his life. I believe your photo depicts a No.115 Sqn Lancaster (serial unknown to me).The Bomber Command Handbook 1939-1945, by Jonathon Falconer (p.53) has another shot of this aircraft (source: IWM CE79). The unfortunate rear gunner in this case was, 1308157 Sgt Geoffrey White RAFVR, who was lost on 28/29-6-1943, returning from attacking Cologne. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Col.

[Andy Saunders]

Thank you, Col.

As I said in #3 I was 'led to believe' that this was the aircraft, but as I had my doubts I stated I was not certain. Thank you for clarifying. There are certainly other shots around of Lancs minus the rear turret and so I suppose that one of those might be the unfortunate Foy's aeroplane.

What is certain, though, is that the information sought by the original poster is correct as per #2 and certainly still no excuse for a failure to acknowledge the assistance given. A distinct lack of manners!

[Henk Welting]

Col,
Your message # 6: I've Geoffrey WHITE (115 Sqn - 28/29-6-1943) on DS669/B.
Regards,
Henk.

[jcowie]

Hi All
Having been to the unveiling of a WW2 plaque in Doncaster - I met Ken Johnson of 61 Squadron RAF - who was the mid-upper gunner on the Lancaster that P/O Foy lost his life - they were en route to bomb V1 sites near Versailles -
Obviously he remembers the incident very well - do any photos of this crew or the lancaster in question still exist.
Regards
John

[Paul61]

Hello all,

P/O Carson "Jack" Foy, was my cousin.
I met his B/A, Edgar Ray, some years back.
Edgar has since contributed Jack's story to a book re. 61 sqdn, "Thundering Through The Clear Air".
There are several pictures of the crew in this book, unfortunately the crew photos are with the replacement gunner, not Jack.
Edgar told me that they took Jack's loss particularly hard as he had repeled several fighter attacks, with 1 confirmed kill, the previous trip. Edgar told me that he saved their lives this night.
Tragically, Jack's brother Warry was killed the same month while serving in France with the Canadian Army, also by friendly fire.
A recent article(s) re. Jack & Warry:

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/Artic...4&archive=true

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/Artic...6&archive=true

I know this is a rather old thread but, would it be possible to hear back from Mr. Bobiggles, I would like to know the reason for his query?

Also, does a picture of FM481 exist?

Warmest regards.
Paul G.