Hugh Francis Morrow was born on 18 June 1921 in Vancouver. Hugh was educated at Kitsilano High School, Vancouver.

He entered the service of the Canadian Bank of Commerce on 22nd September, 1939 and served at the Kingsway & Knight Road (Vancouver) and other branches in British Columbia.

Hugh enlisted in the Royal Candian Air Force on 19 August, 1941, from New Westminster. He was promoted to Sergeant in July, 1942 and to Pilot Officer in August, 1943. Hugh trained at Edmonton, Alta., Regina, Sask., Boundary Bay, B.C., Claresholm, Alta., and Rivers, Man. He was sent overseas in October, 1943. He became a Flying Officer in February, 1944.

432 Squadron

In England, High became a pilot with 432 Squadron R.C.A.F., flying Halifax bombers out of Eastmoor.

His crew consisted of:

F/O Hugh Francis Morrow
Sgt V. Herrick
F/O J. Slimmon
Sgt R. Gelfand
W/O1 L. McElroy
P/O John Markey Johnston
P/O Jack laverne Shanks

 On 16 June the crew was part of the bomber force that would attack industrial targets at the German city of Sterkrade in the Ruhr area. The crew took off in Halifax NA516 QO-A at 23.16 from their base Eastmoor. They reached their target and dropped their bombs, but on the way back to base they were intercepted by a German night fighter. After a fight, the night fighter shot down the NA516. Although five of the crew managed to bail out of the Halifax, three men died. One of them was F/O Hugh Morrow. P/O John Johnston and P/O Jack Shanks also died in the plane.

F/O Hugh Morrow is buried at Gorssel General Cemetery, Row A. Grave 19.

 

Gorssel, The Netherlands

See Also:
P/O John Johnston
P/O Jack Shanks
 

All casualties of 432 squadron buried in the Netherlands

Sources and Acknowledgements:
War Service Records, The Canadian Bank of Commerce, 1947
Commonwealth War Grave Commission
Veterans Affairs Canada
lostbombers.co.uk
 

Directions to Gorssel General Cemetery

Posted 16 June 2009

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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