No soldier photo found.
Rank Pilot Officer (W.Op./Air Gunner), Sergeant
Service # J/15980, R90173
Unit # R.C.A.F., 156 Sqd. R.A.F.

Born in 1916 in Chatham.  Son of James Albert and Mabel Annie (nee Brown) Lenover, 122 Lacroix St., Chatham, Ontario, Canada. The brother of Gerald (Army) and Walter (Navy, the  husband of June Reta (nee Bechard) Lenover, of Chatham, Ontario, Keith and John at home and a sister Mrs. Baron Greiner of Chatham.  

It was reported in the CDN 18/06/42(P), that he had been in England as a WAG (Wireless Air Gunner) since November of 1941. Sgt. Lenover was reported “Missing” after air operations over the continent. CDN 19/09/42(P).

The CDN 16/02/43 reported that the RCAF casualty officer officially notified  Mrs. Lenover, of 105 ½ King St. West, of the death of her husband.   

Age: 26, KIA – Date of Death: 12/08/1942, Service No: J/15980 / R90173; in Wellington bomber pathfinder near Thildonk, Belgium. FS F. V. Hawker and 1 RAF member MIA believed killed. FS Morrison was an Evader, Sgt. J. B. Weaver taken POW. P/O Lenover was reported missing and for official purposes presumed to have died 12/08/42. The Windsor Daily Star reported that members of crew were seen bailing out of their she at high altitude by crews in other planes in the squadron. Two members of the area are POW’s in Germany.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 2.

Cemetery: TILDONK CHURCHYARD.  Located nine miles south east of Malines, Belgium.

Surviving are his wife, his mother Mrs. Mable Lenover, a sister Mrs. Baron Greiner of Chatham and four brothers, Walter RCNVR (Scotland), Gerald in the Army (England) Keith and John at Home.

Citations: 1939-45 Air Crew Europe, Air Crew Europe – Defence Medal, CVSM & Clasp, War Medal. Posthumously awarded RCAF Wings for “Gallant Service – in action against the enemy.

Veteran’s Story:  Charles brother writes:  “Shot down and killed on a bombing raid on Germany August 12, 1942.  Wellington Bomber – 2 died, 3 survived.  Buried in Belgium.”

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources Index of Overseas Deaths, They Shall Not Grow Old, Blenheim IODE Tablet of Remembrance.,  LAC search, NB, VR, IH-RH, CDN(2), SGOP, CFF-FD44
Age 26

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.

Add A Chatham-Kent Hero

Submit a C-K Veteran who served in WWI or WWIIAdd Hero