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Cenotaph Stories

Murdoch, Thomas Graham

Murdock Thos G. on Cenotaph

Rank
Pilot Officer
Service No.
J/87750
Unit
Royal Canadian Air Force
Died
July 29, 1944 (missing in bombing raid over Hamburg)
Age 21
Commemorated
Runnymede Memorial Surrey, UK. - Panel 252
Remembrance:
Second World War Book of Remembrance - Page 401
Additional Info
Enlisted May 05, 1942 Toronto
Son of George and Mabel Murdoch of Lindsay, Ontario.

THOMAS GRAHAM MURDOCH

Thomas was born in Orillia, Ontario on 12 February 1923. His father was born in Scotland and his mother in Thornton, Ont. They lived at 145 William Street North, Lindsay, Ontario and his father worked as a Foreman. He went to Alexandra School 1930-1935 (General Course) and Lindsay Collegiate 1935-1942. He achieved High School Entrance and 7 yrs Junior Matrix, reaching grade 12. He enlisted whilst still a student.

He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 5 May 1942 and after training in Toronto, Pendleton, Belleville, and Winnipeg where he received his wings, was sent to the U.K. where he arrived at 3 PRC on 2 July 1943. He went on to 6 (0)AFU 14 July 1943, 22 OTU 10 August 1943, 1659 CU on 14 November 1943 and arrived at 428 Squadron on 4 January 1944.

Aircraft Information

Aircraft: Avro Lancaster X
Serial Number: KB759
Markings: NA-K
Group: 6
Squadron: 428 (Ghost)

Fellow Servicemen

P/O Adams. H. A.
P/O Attewell, A. E.
P/O Magill. T. E.
F/O Parsons, R.
F/L Smith, B. L.
P/O Thaine, F. B.
P/O Urquhart, J. A.

Last Operation Information

Start Date: 28/07/1944
End Date: 29/07/1944
Takeoff Station: Middleton St. George
Day/Night Raid : Night (56% moon)
Operation: Hamburg. 307 aircraft. German night-fighters appeared on the return leg leading to 22 losses (7.2%). This was the first raid on Hamburg for a year and was not well concentrated. The Germans were unable to determine the aiming point from the bombing results. Most of the bombs fell on areas devastated during 1943.
Reason for Loss : Lost without trace

Transcriptions:
 

Warder August 3, 1944

GRAHAM MURDOCH REPORTED MISSING IN R.C.A.F. RAID

Another Lindsay Collegiate graduate and popular local boy in the person of Flight Sergeant Graham Murdoch, 105 William Street North is reported missing following Saturday’s raids over Germany according to word received by the family yesterday.

Graham left Collegiate at Easter two years ago to join the R.C.A.F. at Toronto. Two weeks ago he celebrated his first year in England. In a letter received that he was just completing his operational flights, would be receiving his commission and planned on coming home.
 

Lindsay Boy is Missing in Air Operations

Flt.- Sgt. Graham Murdoch Expected To Get His Commission And To Get Home on Furlough Soon.

Overseas a little over a year, Flt.-Sgt. Graham Murdoch, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Murdoch, 145 William St. N., has been reported missing after operations overseas on July 29.

Only yesterday his family had received a letter stating that he was getting his commission, that he was on the last lap of his operational flights and was coming home for a month.

The young airman was a graduate of the L.C.I. having enlisted after completing his studies in April 1942.
 

Sergt. G. Murdock Still Among Missing

No further word has been I received regarding Sergt. Graham Murdoch, reported missing several weeks ago. The young airman is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Murdoch, 105 William St. N. He is a graduate of the Lindsay Collegiate and a young man who was held in the highest esteem by many friends.

Graham left Collegiate at Easter two years ago to join the R.C.A.F. at Toronto. Two weeks ago he celebrated, his first year in England.
 

Lindsay boy presumed dead

PO Graham Murdoch, only son of Mr. and Mrs. George Murdoch, 145 William Street North, Lindsay, previously reported missing, is now for official purposes presumed dead.

He was listed missing on July 29, 1944 when he failed to return to base following his 39th operational flight over enemy territory. He was 19 years old when he enlisted and was in the service for two years. He was one year in England with the RCAF Ghost Squadron. He was attending Lindsay Collegiate when he enlisted.