Flying Officer James Loree - bomb aimer in W4126

Flying Officer James Loree - bomb aimer in W4126

Gives some personal details of Flying Officer James William Loree (J/1109 RCAF) air observer. Includes photographs of his grave headstone, himself (with accompanying poem), bomb bay of Lancaster, bombs on trolley, bomb aimers station with description.

Four page printed document with text, colour and b/w photographs

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[colour photograph of the headstone at the grave of F/O Loree]

Flying Officer James William Loree of the R.C.A.F. J/11109. Like his crewmate, Ray McCleery, Jim was an Air Observer and it is interesting to note that their ‘service numbers’ are only 9 digits apart and that they both hailed from the state of Ontario. Aged 24, Jim Loree was W 4126’s Bomb Aimer. His parents, James and Hazel Loree, came from Toronto, Ontario in Canada. Jim also lies in Row 1, in Grave 6.

“He Giveth His Beloved Sleep”

(Authors Photograph)

[page break]

[black and white head and shoulders photograph of F/O Loree]

[poem]

Jim Loree’s prophetic poem, from his youth.

(Courtesy of Bram van Dijk)

[page break]

[colour photograph of a Lancaster bomb bay]

[page break]

[colour photograph of bombs on trolley]

[page break]

[colour photograph of the Bomb Aimer’s station]

Above: F.O Jim Loree’s battle station. The bomb aimers perspex bubble window, with the bomb sight and the bomb fuzing/selection panel located on the right. The Bomb Aimer lay prone on the chest support, when over the target area.

Opposite. Top: The Lancaster Bomber’s 33 ft long bomb bay.

Opposite. Lower: The bomb loads carried could be mixed and include a number of smaller HE (high explosive) bombs, with one large HE blast bomb, or incendiaries, as shown here, boxed on the second bomb trailer. In addition to carrying blast, demolition and fire raising bomb loads, standard Lancaster Bombers could alternatively carry sea mines.

Authors photographs.