Sgt 979838
Thomas Leonard Lever

Sergeant Thomas Leonard Lever died in the crash in St. Andrews Park. He was the Wireless Operator on the night of the crash.

Unfortunately I have not been able to find out much about Thomas as I have not been able to contact his family. The official documents list him as being a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, he came from Wavertree in Liverpool and is buried in Toxteth Park cemetery, Liverpool (Sec. 8. Cons. Grave 671). Below is a photo of his gravestone.

The inscription reads:-


"In precious memory of
ALICE, aged 6 months, ETHEL, aged 8 months (twins),
DORIS, 10 months, DOROTHY 3 years, ELSIE, 8 months.
Also Sgt. Pilot T. L. LEVER, R.A.F. (LEN)
Killed night flying 30th April 1941, aged 20 years.
Dear children of MARGARET & THOMAS LEVER.
"At the end of the lane of shadows,
They will meet us with a smile"
Journey's End Len
Also THOMAS, devoted dad of the above
Died 27th November 1944
And MARGARET, wife and mother of the above
Aged 90 years
Till we meet again
Sadly missed by son Jack"


Thomas Lever's grave

The Liverpool Echo Death Notices for 3rd to 5th May 1941 and the Liverpool Daily Post Death Notices for 5th May 1941 contained the following entry:-

LEVER - Suddenly, by enemy action, LEN beloved and youngest son of Margaret and Thomas W Lever, 47 Mimosa Road. Funeral arrangements later.

The Liverpool Echo Death Notices for 6th May 1941 contained the following entry:-

LEVER - Suddenly, by enemy action, Thomas Leonard (LEN) beloved youngest son of Thomas W and Margaret Lever, 47 Mimosa Road (At the end of the lane of shadows he will meet us with a smile - Mum, Dad, Jack). Funeral at Smithdown Road Cemetery at 4.00pm.

The Liverpool daily Post Death Notices for 6th May 1941 contained the following entry:-

LEVER - by enemy action, Len beloved and youngest son of Margaret and Thomas W LEVER, 47 Mimosa Rd. Funeral arrangements later. Funeral Smithdown Road Cemetery 8th May.

The Liverpool Echo for 6th May 1941 also contained a column entitled "Local Casualties - News of Merseyside Men In The Forces" whaich contained this entry:-


Len is commemorated, along with Kenneth Evans and Charlie Clarke, on the war memorial at Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire. See my Memorials page.

EHC J L W