Hundreds of Canadian aircraft were in the air on D-Day and thousands of Royal Canadian Air Force men and women were serving in Canadian or other Commonwealth units. Of the 23 Canadian airmen who were killed on D-Day, seven were serving with RCAF squadrons. The remainder were serving with Royal Air Force squadrons and units.
Flying Officer Leonard Ralph Allman, a pilot with 440 Squadron. Killed in action when his Typhoon aircraft was shot down while attacking enemy transport. From Toronto, Ontario, age 25. Buried in Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery, France.
Flying Officer James Kennedy Anderson, a navigator with 196 (RAF) Squadron. Killed in action when he bailed out of his Stirling aircraft over the English Channel. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, age 21. Buried in the Calais Canadian War Cemetery, France.
Flying Officer Thomas Frederick Barker, a navigator with 620 (RAF) Squadron. Killed in action, along with Flying Officer N. Caskey and the remainder of the crew, when his Stirling aircraft was shot down while part of the airborne assault. From Toronto, Ontario, aged 26. Buried in the La Delivrande War Cemetery, France.
Flying Officer Joseph Francis Terence Beesley, a pilot with 426 Squadron. Killed in action after an attack on a coastal battery near Trouville, France, when his Halifax aircraft exploded in mid-air. The remainder of the crew, five members of the RCAF and one RAF flight engineer were also killed. From Smithers, British Columbia, age 21. Buried in the Brookwood…
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