Francis Joseph Klapkew was born in 1918 and from Galt, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of George and Anna Klapkew. He was married to Helen May Klapkew.

Francis joined the Royal Air Force and became a navigator with 418 R.C.A.F. squadron, flying Mosquitos out of Ford, Sussex.

On 9/10 March 1945, F/O Klapkew and his pilot F/O George Sheldrick were sent on an Intruder mission with other mossies of 418 Squadron to attack transport between Wezel, Hamm and Zutphen. They were also tasked to intercept the transports of long

418 Squadron

distance weapons on the route Oldenburg - Leeuwaarden - Utrecht.

What happened after they took off is not known but their mosquito crashed near Putten, killing both men.

Flying Officer  is buried in Putten General Cemetery, Plot A. Row 1. Grave 5.

Though We Are Many Miles Apart, Your Memory Is Forever In Our Hearts

 

See also:
F/L George Sheldrick

Other 418 Squadron casualties in The Netherlands

Sources:
Zwanenburg, Gerrit J., En Toen Was Het Stil, Volume I, II and III, Den Haag: Royal Dutch Air Force, ny 
www.cwgc.org

Acknowledgements:
RAF Squadron crest © Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

Directions to Putten General Cemetery

Posted 23 November 2008

If you have any suggestions, comments or additional information, please contact me.

This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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