It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing away of Wilkie Wanless.
My Dad, Flight Lieutenant Philippe Suzor, from the ex British colony of Mauritius, had voluntered to join the RAF during WW2 and was the commanding officer on board the Halifax DK 201 on October 3 1943. I remember my dad telling me that Mr. Wanless had voluntered to replace the rear gunner who had been injured. On that evening of the bombing mission over the industrial city of Kassel, Primary target The Fieseler aircraft plant and Hendchel works.
The Halifax was shot down by a night-fighter, 4 km ESE of Detmold. There were two casualties, the pilot, P/O Arthur Thorp and top turret gunner Sgt J Zuidmulder are buried in Hannover War Cemetery.
The rest of the crew were captured and incarcerated at Stalag Luft 3 in Poland.
P/O J.P.Suzor in Camp L3, PoW No.2927 with P/O W.A.W.Wanless,RCAF PoW No.3016. ” They were brave men. May Mr. Wanless rest in peace.
