ryan_box023-tld_f51_02

When and how did he find
out that his daughter had
been born?
217116 F/O
W.R. Chalcraft
Please interview by
telephone on this
point.

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR,
PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT
JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944. IF YOU WERE
ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name?
William Robertson CHALCRAFT

What was your squadron, station, unit?
#419 Sqdn. Middleton St. George, County Durham, England.

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time?
Bombed [inserted]German[end inserted]Coastal gun installations 1 hr and 30 minutes before
'H' hour on 'D' Day at Longue, France.

What was your rank on June 6, 1944?
Flight Lieutenant

What was your age on June 6, 1944?
25

Were you married at that time?
Yes

What is your wife's name?
Joan Chalcraft.

Did you have any children at that time?
Our daughter Donna Frances Chalcraft was born at
10 AM on 'D' day June 6-1944 at [?Woraster?] England

What do you do now?
Flying Control Officer- Royal Canadian Air Force.

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion?
When we were briefed for our bombing mission just
prior to take-off.

What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel?
Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had
or how you passed the time?
We were in cloud most of the trip and
concentration on looking out for other aircraft as
there were so many aircraft in the air that night.

What were the rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which
you made the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the
effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on the water and
planned to set it afire when the troops came in).
None than I can remember.