"Voice of Youth" "Wilbur Brydon, Armstrong B.C. to compete in oratory contest."
Cardston News
Notes
Flying Officer
J/40347
170 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
170 sqn flew Lancasters. The night of Mar.5/6 1945 the squadron attacked Chemnitz and lost 16 aircraft.
The raid to Chemnitz was a continuation of Operation 'Thunderclap' and consisted of 760 aircraft: Lancasters, Halifaxes and Mosquitos. Weather was atrocious. The operation started badly when 9 aircraft of No 6 Group crashed near their bases soon after taking off in severe icing conditions. No 426 Squadron, at Linton-on-Ouse, lost 3 out of their 14 Halifaxes taking part in the raid in this way, with only 1 man surviving. 1 of the Halifaxes crashed in York, killing some civilians. High winds made navigation difficult for all involved. 22 further aircraft were lost in the main operation.
WA Brydon's Lancaster, serial number ME320, ID TC-L, took off at 5pm on the 5th and is listed as failed to return.
Lethbridge Herald 1945, Apr 12
Missing; on Active Service BRYDON, Wilbert Alexander. FO, L. C. Brydon (father). Armstrong, BC