425 (RCAF) Squadron, Service no. 1004554
Born: 1921. Killed in action: 5th August 1944, aged 23
Story
Brian was the son of Fred Clark and Margaret Isobel Logg. Margaret was from Kippax, and the family emigrated to Australia, before moving back to Bierley, Bradford.
On 5 August 1944, at 11 am, Brian Clark boarded his Halifax LL594 and left Tholthorpe, Yorkshire for the last time. It was the crew’s 26th operation (pictured below); the fifth flown in No. 425 squadron and their target was the V-1 site at St. Leu d’Esserent, France. Over the target, the Halifax took a direct hit from flak and exploded. Six of the crew, including Brian Clark were killed at once. Pilot Gerald Philbin and RAF Sgt. Milliard were able to parachute to earth where they were taken prisoner. The five other crew members killed in Halifax III, serial LL594, KW-U, on 5 August 1944 were – P/O R. Reed RCAF; P/O T. Lee RCAF; F/O L. Stamp RAF; F/O G. Beresford RAF; and F/Sgt. William Gracie RCAF.
Brian was commemorated in the Canadian War cemetery in Dieppe (FR.587), and buried in Kippax, along with his parents who both died in Australia.
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Kippax Roll of Honour 