• Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)

Date of birth:

August 2nd, 1919 (Moose Jaw/Saskatchewan, Canada)

Date of death:

May 17th, 1943 (Emmerich am Rhein, Germany)

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Reichswald Forest
Plot: 5. Row: B. Grave: 16-18.

Service number:

J/9763

Nationality:

Canadian

Robert Alexander Urquhart, born 2 August 1919 in Moose Jaw, Canada, was one of four children of Alexander and Susie Urquhart. Educated locally, he worked as an apprentice jeweller and stock manager before joining the RCAF in January 1941. Initially training as a pilot, he earned his navigator's commission in January 1942.

Arriving in England in March 1942, Urquhart joined 50 Squadron in August, completing 15 operations. On 17 December, he participated a raid on Soltau and on 21 January 1943 on Essen. By March, Urquhart transferred to 617 Squadron.

On 4 April, Urquhart spent days at Farnborough for training with Aldis lamps, essential for maintaining height during the dams attack. Urquhart perfected this role during test runs at Scampton and Skegness. By the time of the Dams Raid, he had completed 28 operations and was cited for a DFC for his service in 50 Squadron.

At AJ-Z’s crash site, the Germans were unable to identify the remains of Urquhart, Tytherleigh, and Fuller, resulting in their burial in a collective grave at Düsseldorf North Cemetery. After the war, the entire crew was reinterred in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

January 1942

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 20th, 1945

"Since joining this squadron, Flying Officer Urquhart has flown on many operations. At all times his navigation has been of the highest order and the successes he achieved are due in no small measure to his skill. This officer took part in the daylight raids on Le Creusot and Milan and at other times on many heavily defended German targets. On one occasion during a low level raid on a target in North West Germany he was wounded by anti-aircraft fire but continued to navigate with accuracy. By his skill and determination Flying Officer Urquhart has set a high standard among his fellow navigators."

The recommendation for Urquhart's DFC, made by 50 Squadron's CO on 20 March 1943 and endorsed by Air Vice Marshal Cochrane on 4 May, was delayed due to administrative issues. The Canadian Minister of National Defence for Air wrote to Urquhart's family on 30 July 1945, apologizing for the delay and sending his Operational Tour Wings and certificate. The DFC was eventually delivered by registered mail on 7 November 1949, along with the Canadian War Memorial Cross.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 30th, 1945

Posthumously awarded

• Photo 1: Findagrave
• - CWGC
  - Dambusters
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37187/supplement/3785/data.pdf

Helaas geen map gevonden.

Crash Site Avro Lancaster Mk III ED937

Emmerich am Rhein - Nordrhein-Westfalen

Eder Dam Edertal

Edertal - Hessen

Sperrmauer-Museum Edersee

Edersee - Hessen

Memorial Fallen 617 Squadron Dambusters

Woodhall Spa - Lincolnshire

Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)