{"product_id":"canada-commonwealth-a-second-war-memorial-cross-to-po-karstens-kia-1944-c7511","title":"Canada, Commonwealth. A Second War Memorial Cross to P\/O. Karstens, KIA 1944","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Memorial Cross, in silver, reverse engraved J-92361 P.O. W.O.A.G. W. R. KARSTENS R187513, the 6 o’clock arm is marked LACKIE and STERLING, full size, with crown suspension bearing STERLING mark on reverse and horizontal pin, dark patina, remains better than very fine. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFootnote: William Russell Karstens was born in November 1921, in Windsor, Ontario. He enlisted in the R.C.A.F on August 24, 1942, leaving his position as a telephone installer with Bell. He completed the pre-aircrew education course at McGill University, successfully qualifying for the category of Aircrew. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKarstens served with 419 B “Moose” Squadron in an Avro Lancaster KB745. On August 10-11, 1944, he participated in an oil depot raid at La Pallice. The plane was attacked by a JU-88, but no damage was claimed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn October 4, 1944, the aircraft was involved in a U-boat Pens bombing mission to Bergen, Norway. The Lancaster KB745 crashed on the side of Mount Cheviot at Goldscleugh near Rothbury, Northumb. The wreckage was found the next day by a young shepherd, Basil Oliver, as the older shepherds were at a flock market at Rothbury. The crash site suggested that the crash occurred on the return trip from the mission, when for reasons unknown they veered 11 miles off their intended course.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe crew were: F\/O G R Duncan (pilot, aged 21, died), F\/O W G Layng (navigator, aged 21, died), P\/O J W F Hall (flight engineer, aged 20, died), F\/O A Gaddess (bomb aimer, aged 21, died), P\/O W R Karstens (wireless operator, aged 22, died), F\/O D A Trott (air gunner, aged 19, died), P\/O T B Tierney (rear gunner, aged 22, died). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePilot Officer Wireless Operator Air Gunner Karstens is buried in the Stonefall Cemetery, Wetherby Road, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49819913027861,"sku":"C7511","price":281.48,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/eMedals_C7511_2.jpg?v=1774466309","url":"https:\/\/www.emedals.com\/products\/canada-commonwealth-a-second-war-memorial-cross-to-po-karstens-kia-1944-c7511","provider":"eMedals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}