Date of birth:

October 26th, 1922 (St. Thomas/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

September 10th, 2009 (London/Ontario, Canada)

Service number:

R205588

Nationality:

Canadian (1931-present, Constitutional Monarchy)

William Crabe enlisted in the air force on November 11 , 1942 in London, Ontario. He was stationed at No. 1 Workshop until October 29, 1943 and then at No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School where he received his wing on January 28, 1944. Crabe was sent
overseas on the ship the Amsterdam, arriving April 1, 1944, where he was stationed in England. He was posted with 170 Squadron at RAF Hemsell. Crabe had 29 trips as a mid-upper gunner in bombing raids over Germany and submarine bases in Holland. He also went on food drops over Holland.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Sergeant

Unit:

No. 170 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

March 20th, 1945

Citation:
"This airman was the mid-upper gunner detailed for a sortie one night in February 1945. Soon after leaving the target the aircraft sustained severe damage. The rear gun turret was wrecked. Flight Sergeant Crabe went at one to attend to the trapped rear gunner. Assisted by another member of the crew he cut away the side of the turret, then tying a rope round himself Flight Sergeant Crabe climbed into the wrecked turret. He was completely exposed to the slipstream and in danger of falling and was not wearing a parachute. Heedless of this and despite intense cold this valiant airman toiled until he succeeded in freeing the gunner and getting him back into the fuselage. Unfortunately his comrade was dead. Although his efforts were in vain, Flight Sergeant Crabe's brave and determined bid to save his co-gunner were worthy of the greatest praise."

• - Royal Canadian Air Force Association - "Per Ardua Ad Astra"
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