John Gardner

16/04/1919 – 16/03/1945 – aged 25

John Gardner was born on the 17th April 1919 in Crumpsall. He came to St Bede’s at on the 16th September 1930. He left the College on the 22nd July 1936, aged seventeen. He later married Frances Mary, and they set up home together in Blackpool whilst he obtained a job at a bank.

When the War began, Gardner was conscripted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve. He trained as an Air Gunner and was assigned to Bomber Command’s 166 Squadron. He rose to the rank of Flying Officer and was assigned to command Lancaster Bomber PA234. On the 16th March 1945, the seven-man crew were assigned to attack Nuremberg. Unfortunately, they crashed near Großhabersdorf and five of the crew, including John, were killed on impact. John was twenty-five years old.