Bartlett Leadbetter Rogers

F/O Bartlett Leadbetter Rogers was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on April 7, 1921.  F/O Rogers married Mary Doris (née Spencer).on January 30, 1943 in Toronto and they had a baby son, Bartlett Spencer Rogers, who was born on September 22, 1943.

Bartlett Rogers was the son of Brigadier Joseph Bartlett Rogers, CMG, DSO, MC and Mrs. Helen (nee Leadbetter). He was the brother of Charles Brown Rogers.

He attended Rosedale Elementary School, Crescent Private Highschool and Upper Canada College.  After attending Upper Canada College, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana.

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Rogers enlisted in the RCAF on April 10, 1942 in Toronto.  He served with the RCAF in 625 Squadron as a navigator on Lancaster ED 317.  He disembarked for England from Canada on February 5, 1943.  He joined 625 Squadron on February 23, 1944 from the 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit. 

625 Squadron reported that Lancaster aircraft, ED.317, with a crew of 7, failed to return from an operational attack on Berlin.  It left the Kelstern base at 18.36 hours on March 24, 1944, after which no further news was received. His aircraft crashed at Egelstedt, Germany.

A telegram from the International Red Cross Committee quoting German information, stated that F/O. Rogers was killed on the March 24, 1944.  There were no burial particulars provided.  As a result of the evidence received and the lapse of tine, it was submitted that the death of CAN/J2291ï F/O. B.L. ROGERS, be presumed, for official purposes, to have occurred on the March 24, 1944.  The six remaining members of his crew were not part of the R.C.A.F.

Bartlett Leadbetter Rogers was only 22 years old when he died.

F/O Rogers received the following citations for his service:

• 1939-45 Star

• Air Crew Europe Star

• Defence Medal

• Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp

• War Medal 1939-45

• Posthumously awarded RCAF Operational Wings in recognition of gallant service in action against the enemy, February 24, 1947.

F/O Rogers is buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery.

His wife learned that her husband was missing on ops and on March 30, 1944 their baby son died