STAFF SERGEANT LEROY J. CANNING was born on June 28, 1922 in Camden NJ. His early days were spent in Haddonfield NJ. In 1930 his mother Anna Horner Canning, Leroy, and younger brother Robert were living at the home of his grandfather, William B. Horner, at 125 Linden Avenue in Haddonfield. At the time of the census William Horner listed his occupation as gardener for the a municipality, and Anna Canning was a saleslady in a candy shop. Mrs. Canning later moved the family to 6729 Park Avenue in Pennsauken NJ. She re-married sometime after the 1930 census. Leroy Canning graduated from Merchantville (NJ) High School, and worked for RCA-Victor in Camden NJ before enlisting in the Army on October 26, 1942. He had last lived at 114 Colonial Avenue in Haddonfield NJ before his enlistment.

Leroy Canning qualified for flight duty. After training at Kessler Field MI he trained as an turret gunner at the aerial gunnery school at Harlingen TX, before going overseas to serve with the 714th Bomb Squadron, 448th Bombardment Group, Heavy. This unit flew B-24 Liberator bombers out of England.

Staff Sergeant Canning was killed in action when his plane went down over Germany on August 26, 1944. Initially listed as missing in action, his body was recovered and he was declared dead on August 27, 1945. He was returned home to New Jersey, and buried at Beverly National Cemetery on December 8, 1948. Leroy Canning was survived by his mother, Mrs. Anna Miller, of the Park Avenue address, his brother Robert, and his grandmother, Mrs. Mae Horner of Haddonfield NJ. Canning Avenue in Pennsauken NJ was named for him.

December 6, 1948

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  History of the 714th Bomber Squadron

448th Bomb Group 714 Bomb Squadron ( Heavy )

 History

Constituted 714th Bombardment Squadron ( Heavy. ) on April, 6th 1943.  Activated on May, 1st 1943 and based at Gowen Field Idaho.  Moved to Wendover Field, Utah on July 4th, 1943.  Based at Sioux Citty AAB, Iowa from September 11th to November 7th, 1943.

On November 30th, 1943 the 448th bomb group was moved to England. 714 was among 712th, 713th, and 715th  Squadrons, plus all the support units based at Seething airfield, Norfolk known as Station 146.  Seething was home for around 3,000 men consisting of roughly 500 officers and 2,500 enlisted men.

The 448th bomb group flew their first mission on December 22nd, 1943.  They flew 262 missions over Europe, the last in April 1945.  On July 5th, 1945, the 448th bomb group and its support squadrons returned to America.

After the war the Control Tower was restored by old members of the 448th bomb group association, turning it into the glorious condition it is in today.






 

In 1984, the 448th Bomb Group Association came over to Seething  to dedicate two memorials they had designed and paid for.  A roll of honor is dedicated to the members of the 448th BG, who gave their lives to fight for freedom from the base.  Many of them lost their lives in this struggle.

Reunions are frequently held at Seething by the 448th bomb group have made strong links between the local people and their American friends.

For B24 Specifications click the image below: