Help us honour a West Pilton War Hero in Norway

CAN YOU HELP TRACE AIRMAN’S FAMILY?

Seeking information on RAF Sergeant George Lyon Mitchell (Last known address: 35 Ferry Road Avenue, West Pilton).

I am writing to you from Drammen, Norway, near where Sergeant Mitchell is buried.

On December 28, 1944, Sgt. Mitchell was aboard a Short Stirling bomber flying a mission to drop supplies to the Norwegian Resistance. Tragically, the plane was shot down and crashed near the church in the village of Sande, just outside Oslo. Seven young men (5 British, 2 Australian) lost their lives that night helping our country.

While their graves are tended to and honoured, the local community today knows little of their story. We are working to change that by erecting a permanent information memorial at the site, to be unveiled on May 17, 2026.

We need your help. I have found photos of 6 of the crew members, but I am missing a photo of George Lyon Mitchell. We desperately want to include his face on the memorial to properly honour his sacrifice.

His parents were William K. and Elizabeth Mitchell.

Do you have any information, or know of surviving family members who might have a photograph? A picture puts a face to the history and ensures he is fully remembered.

All information is valuable. Please contact me.

On behalf of Guardians of History, Ben Lonrusten

NOTE: The appeal was shared by West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. Please pass on any info you may have to me here at NEN or contact West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre directly – hope you can help! -Ed.

Published by

davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer