RCAF Brothers KIA Photograph

RCAF Brothers KIA Photograph - Two-panel, matted, framed colourized black and white photographs of Warrant Officer Class I Harry Leo Teasdale and Flying Officer Thomas Leo Whigham Teasdale, studio stamped "Deayton Studio EDMONTON, ALTA", inscribed on the cover in pencil "Teasdale Twins", extremely fine. Footnote: The Teasdale twins were born on October 28, 1922 in Drumheller, Alberta, the sons of James Robert Whigham and Maude Ethel (nee Aram) Teasdale, of Vancouver, British Columbia. They had three siblings: James Frederick, Richard Robert and Kathleen Ellen. J/23404 Flying Officer Thomas Leo Whigham Teasdale enlisted with the RCAF on September 29, 1941 in Calgary, Alberta. He was piloting a Lancaster Mk I AS-Q ED731 with 166 RAF Squadron out of Kirmington, Lincolnshire Base, on March 25, 1944, taking off at 18.40 hrs to attack the heart of Germany, Berlin. 811 aircraft took part in what has become known as the "night of the strong winds" as a very strong wind took the bomber stream further south at every stage of the outbound flight. The bomber stream became very scattered in particular on the homeward bound stages where the radar controlled flak batteries were able to score many successes. Teasdale's plane was downed, killing him at the age of 21, along with five members of his crew (1 P.O.W.). He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Air Crew Europe Star, the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp and the War Medal 1939-45. He was posthumously awarded RCAF Operational Wings in recognition of gallant service in action against the enemy, on March 31, 1947. He is buried and remembered with honour at Reichswald Forset War Cemetery, Germany, Grave Reference 25.E.6. His twin brother, R/140182 Warrant Officer Class I Harry Leo Teasdale enlisted with the RCAF on November 14, 1941 in Calgary, Alberta. He was with 11 Squadron when he was killed in action on February 19, 1945, at the age of 22. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp and the War Medal 1939-45. He was posthumously awarded RCAF Operational Wings in recognition of gallant service in action against the enemy on December 7, 1945. He is remembered with honour at the Ottawa Memorial, Panel 4. Column 3. The Ottawa Memorial stands on the north-eastern point of Green Island in the City of Ottawa and commemorates those of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives while serving in units operating from bases in Canada, the British West Indies and the United Sates of America, or while training in Canada and the U.S.A., and who have no known graves. Both Teasdales are remembered with honour in the Drumheller, Alberta Veterans Servicemen Book.