WWII Group to RCAF Tail Gunner Segt. Shanks KIA 1943

WWII Group to RCAF Tail Gunner Segt. Shanks - 1939-1945 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; and War Medal 1939-1945. Unnamed, very crisp detail, dark patinas on the silver medals, original ribbons, light contact, near extremely fine. In their cardboard boxes of issue, the CVSM box containing the CVSM clasp envelope. Accompanied by an RCAF leather letter writing kit folder (stamped with the RCAF insignia on the cover, with zipper closure, 145 mm x 223 mm x 30 mm), containing one Air Gunner (AG) Wing (three-colour embroidery on black wool, padded, giving it a three-dimensional look, 47.5 mm x 91 mm), two CANADA Eagle Shoulder Flashes (two-colour embroidery on black wool, one right-facing, the other left-facing, 40 mm x 76.5 mm each), his Innoculation Card, an RCAF New Testament (named to Shankson the inside front cover), seven photographs, assorted letters and correspondence, including envelopes, nine Air Mail stickers and one plant shoot sample. Footnote: R194853 Sergeant Air (Tail) Gunner A. Blain Shanks, Royal Canadian Air Force was the lone Canadian of Operational Training Unit 17, in a crew of six, aboard a Royal Air Force Wellington X aircraft, Serial Number HF600, when it crashed during a training exercise. They took off from Turweston, Buckinghamshire on September 28, 1943, crashing early on the 29th in the English Channel. The others accompaning Shanks on the ill-fated flight were 1452621 Sergeant E. Atkinson, 1385661 Sergeant Cozens, 1320783 Sergeant C.G. Braund, 1585875 Sergeant K.B. Roberts and 1305841 Sergeant D. Crosland, all of the Royal Air Force. All six crew members were killed. Shanks is remembered with honour at Oxford (Botley) Cemetery. There is also a road named after him in England.