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Kenneth Stewart HANSON
Service Nos: R154091 J95560
From the National Archives AIR/27/1818 417 Squadron ORB
31st Dec 1944
Probably the worst month for casualties and accidents in the history of the Squadron ended today with a fatal accident which resulted in the death of CAN.R.154091 W.O. 2 Hanson, K.S.
Taking off on an armed recce and close support bombing mission at 1000 hours this morning Hanson's motor cut, and he informed his leader F/L L.J. Hurrell (CAN.J.20013) that he was heading out to sea, F/L Hurrell supposed he intended to jettison his bomb in the sea and return to base, but followed anyway. He was later ordered by "Commander" to carry out he bombing mission.Upon returning to base later, F/L Hurrell was ordered to join the search for W.O. Hanson. Catalinas and Walruses, as well as our own aircraft searched the area all day without success. Hanson is reported missing believed drowned.
