Eric Gordon Waller

Birth & Upbringing: Eric was born in 1923 [1]. He was the son of Bert Clark (Bert Waller, the the adopted son of Joseph Waller and his wife Charlotte (nee Brown) Waller. [2] and Una Salter. Eric had four siblings, Joyce, Rex, Maureen and Una.

Own Family: Eric never married.

Known Residences: 10 Hillborough Road, Luton, Bedforshire; 

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Military Service: He was a member of Royal Air Force 625 Squadron - The Avengers - flying Lancaster bombers out of RAF Kelstern in Lincolnshire. He trained as Navigator/ Bomb aimer at 45 Air School in Oudtshoorn, Cape Province, South Africa: Air gunnery was part of the course. His positioning in the nose of the Lancaster as Navigator, required him to be Bomb Aimer and Air Gunner too. He wore the Navigators brevet on his blue uniform. Eric was an Sergeant of the RAFVR No 1320142.

Demise: Eric Waller was killed in action over Berlin, Germany on 24 March 1944 [4] [5]. The raid in which he was killed (aged just 20 years) comprised a bomber force of 811 aircraft, 577 of which were Lancaster bombers. His aircraft, ED317, piloted by Flight Sergeant Ronald Jamieson (also aged 20 years) was engaged over Lagensalza by Luftwaffe night fighter, apparently piloted by Oblt. Gunther Roggeover . In all 70 aircraft were lost during the raid. This was the last major bombing raid conducted by the British over Germany during the course of the 1939-45 conflict. [4] Those who perished in the incident alongside Eric were:

• Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Ronald David Whamond Jamison 1551751 RAFVR Age 20;

• Fl/Eng: Sgt. Eric Boynton Tones 1697423 RAFVR Age 19;

• Nav: F/O. Bartlett Leadbetter Rogers J/22911 RCAF Age 22;

• W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. James Inglis Scott 1560052 RAFVR Age 21;

• Air/Gnr: Sgt. James Frederick Etheridge 1801712 RAFVR Age 2; and

• Air/Gnr: Sgt. John Richard Honey 1608258 RAFVR Age 19. [4]

Burial: Eric was buried at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery (Collective Grave 6.C.15-19 along with four of his comrades) with the grave inscription "He died that we might live"[6].
A book of Remembrance may be found at St. Faith, Kelstern (Parish Calcethorp) adjacent to the pulpit steps.
Memorial: The Aircrew Remembered site relates the following "An elaborate cairn with a memorial plaque has been erected at the crash site of 625 Squadron's Lancaster ED317 and crew in Germany. It was conceived and funded by René Schütz and his friends Kevin Schmidt, Livius Schillingmann and Thorben Ehmer in memory of the courageous young men that made the ultimate sacrifice. It is most remarkable that this action is being taken by citizens of the other side. An inaugural ceremony for the plaque took place on March 24, 2019, to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the loss. Relatives of the crew who could be located were invited to attend the ceremony. A comprehensive report and photographs of the ceremony can be found at the foot of this page. René and his friends are to be commended for this gracious and compassionate gesture." [4]

To be completed