WO. Albert Edward "Ginge" Ashford
Royal Canadian Air Force 426 Squadron
from:Creswell, Derbyshire
Albert Ashford, Ginge joined 426 Squadron from 425 Squadron RCAF in May 1944. He flew as an Air Gunner with the same crew throughout this time,
- Captain, Tony Selfe
- Nav, F/O Sowerby
- B/A F/O Reg Paul
- F/E, Sgt Fellows
- WAG, Sgt Bielby
- MUG, Sgt Turner
- RG, Sgt A E Ashford.
During Ops on D Day in LW377 to Cherbourg the aircraft was hit by bomb taking out port inner engine. He bailed out over Start Bay Devon.
Extract from RCAF Overseas Vol 2, Toronto Oxford University Press 1945, "The following night the Canadians were back on railway targets with the marshalling yards at Ghent as the objective. The accurately-laid eggs caused fires and explosions and inflicted moderate damage. Night fighters were active both over the target and on the homeward journey and several combats took place. Sgts. A. E. Ashford, J. D. Turner and L. S. Owen, gunners on an Alouette Squadron kite skippered by FSgt. C. A. Selfe, were successful when attacked by a Ju88 over the North Sea. After several bursts from our lads’ guns the enemy broke away and hurtled into the mist in a spin with his whole starboard side in flames." The Log Book of A E Ashford shows this as taking place on the 10th of May 1944, Aircraft Coded KW-O Halifax III of 425 Alouette Squadron.
