Hidden message from wounded Leeds soldier found in World War Two aircraft used on D-Day

A military aircraft museum in Canada is trying to trace relatives of a World War Two veteran from Leeds after finding a 'hidden message' from him while restoring an aircraft used on D-Day.
By Mark Lavery
Published 25th Nov 2020, 16:45 BST
Volunteers at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum were restoring this C-47 Dakota, which flew during the Second World War, when they found a total of eight messages left by wounded soldiers.Volunteers at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum were restoring this C-47 Dakota, which flew during the Second World War, when they found a total of eight messages left by wounded soldiers.
Volunteers at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum were restoring this C-47 Dakota, which flew during the Second World War, when they found a total of eight messages left by wounded soldiers.

Volunteers at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum were restoring a C-47 Dakota, which flew during the Second World War, when they found a total of eight messages left by wounded soldiers

Museum volunteer Mike Tabone said paratroopers jumped from the aircraft into Normandy, France, during D-Day on June 6 1944.

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He said the C-47 Dakota also carried more than 300 wounded soldiers in medi-vac missions.

This message from Trooper Wright of Leeds was found while the aircraft was being restored.This message from Trooper Wright of Leeds was found while the aircraft was being restored.
This message from Trooper Wright of Leeds was found while the aircraft was being restored.

Mr Tabone said: "During the restoration we found eight examples of 'hidden messages' left behind by soldiers who were being flown back to the UK after being wounded in battle.

"One of the names uncovered was from TPR (Trooper) Wright.

"He recorded he lived at 27 Well Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. He also quotes a number that looks like 4693974.

"My hope is to connect with a family member of this veteran."

The restored C-47 Dakota at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum.The restored C-47 Dakota at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum.
The restored C-47 Dakota at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum.
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Mr Tabone said he recently made contact with the family in Dorset of one of the soldiers who left messages in the aircraft.

Built by Douglas in the United States in 1943, the C-47 Dakota was delivered to the RAF in February 1944.

The aircraft served with 233 Squadron at RAF Blakehill Farm until September 1944 when it was transferred to 437 Squadron, a unit of the Canadian Armed Forces under the Royal Canadian Air Force.

It was painted olive green and shortly before D-Day it had the black and white ‘invasion stripes’ added for identification purposes.

The restored C-47 Dakota at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum.The restored C-47 Dakota at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum.
The restored C-47 Dakota at the Ontario-based Canadian Warplane Heritage museum.
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The aircraft survived the war and until 2019 was still flying with Environment Canada.

After going through a full overhaul, the aircraft was repainted in its original RAF Blakehill Farm colour scheme.

It was rededicated by the Royal Canadian Airforce at a ceremony held at the Canadian Heritage Warplane Museum in 2019.

Anyone who can help is asked to email Mr Tabone at [email protected]

Related topics:CanadaVolunteersLeeds