We are dedicated to remembering the Escapers and Evaders of the Walter Crew of 405 Vancouver Squadron. Their contribution will never be forgotten. For some it was a great adventure. For others it was a time so painful and tragic that they will never talk about it.

The members of the Walter Crew were: Bud Walter (Pilot); Bruce Durfee (Bomb Aimer); Jim Umscheid (Flight Engineer); Ralph Rafter (Wireless Operator); Ross Wiens (Navigator); Denis Budd (Tail Gunner) & Phil Musgrave (Mid Upper Gunner). On their 13th mission on August 16, 1944 Lancaster III PA LQP was shot down over Denmark. All but one of the crew members were able to escape from the burning aircraft and parachute to safety. One crew member was killed in the crash of the aircraft. Of the crew members who parachuted to safety, two were captured and held as POWs and four managed to escape to Sweden with the help of the Danish Resistance Movement. These four became members of the Royal Evaders Society.

The photos on these pages remember the contribution of the Walter Crew. They were born of the sun. They travelled a short way toward the sun. And they left the vivid air signed with their honour. They will always be honoured and remembered for their brave deeds. They are true Canadian heroes.