Robert Gilmour, Lancaster Bomber Navigator

[ethorn]

Seeking information about Robert E Gilmour, (Born in Midlothian, Scotland. 1921-1991) who was a navigator in WWII on a Lancaster Bomber. All I know about Bob is that he and his crew were shot down over the English channel and were rescued after 3 days of being stranded at sea. I've looked on ForceWarRecords.co.uk however I can't seem to find him. Unfortunately, I don't have any more info regarding his military career.

If anybody could help or give some pointers, that'd be great! 

[ev]

Was his mother's maiden name Gurney ?
Scotlandspeople has a likely birth and death for a Robert Edwin Gilmour.



ev

[Ruskie]

Depending on how much detail you are looking for, and it will cost you £30, but you could apply for his service records:
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

[ethorn]

Was his mother's maiden name Gurney ?
Scotlandspeople has a likely birth and death for a Robert Edwin Gilmour.



ev

Yes, I have these already, but they have no info about his military career. Thank you, anyway 

[ethorn]

Depending on how much detail you are looking for, and it will cost you £30, but you could apply for his service records:
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

Thanks 

[MaxD]

Just to reinforce what Ruskie has said.  His service record, as with all WW2 records, despite what some sites say, is not on line anywhere.  Once you have it, it will tell you his squadron(s) and from there you can find the squadron operations book .

MaxD

[Syerston106]

I have found a Sgt R Gilmour who flew with 44 Squadron. He took off from Dunholme Lodge on 20th October 1943 in Lancaster EE184 (KM-B) on an Op to Leipzig and ditched sometime later, South East of Grimsby.

[daretodiscover]

The "Sgt. R. Gilmour" aboard Lancaster EE184 was the Wireless Operator, not the navigator.

His service number was 1369736, if that matches up with anything you have?

DTD

[JustinL]

You might want to try browsing through this collection of bomber command loss cards

http://www.lancasterbombers.net/lancasterbombers_v1_033.htm

A card was prepared for each bomber lost during a mission. The collection may not be complete.

The first operational mission involving Lancaster bombers was in March 1942. That narrows down the search somewhat. Furthermore, if the he and his fellow crew members all survived then that card will stand out as most crews were killed or, a smaller number, taken prisoner.

Justin