Robert Abrams was born on 30 May 1924, only son of Hubert James Abrams and Ella Mabel Abrams, of Rockhaven, Saskatchewan, Canada and brother to four sisters (Ethel, Stella, Vivien, and Dora). Prior to joining the RCAF, he worked on his parents' farm. Abrams' report from the Flt Lt Medical Officer at his recruitment interview on 22 Jul 43 was less than encouraging: 'Alert, wiry chap, somewhat immature. Motivation for aircrew doubtful. Grade XI education at 18 years of age. Farmed since leaving school. Physically fit. The only boy, parents agreeable. Not highly recommended for aircrew'. However, the Fg Off Interviewing Officer seemed to take a liking to him and overruled the MO; 'Appears to be good material. Says he understands selection and is willing to serve in any capacity. Seems alert and fairly intelligent. Feel he should do well. Says he is fond of shooting and is a fair shot with the rifle. Appears well motivated'.

Plt Off Abrams was killed on a mission to Chemnitz on 06 March 1945, aged 20, and is remembered on Panel 280 at the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede. PD403 took off from Fiskerton at 1655. According to a British PoW, two aircraft were seen to collide and explode in the air on the night of 05/06 March 1944. The pilot, Fg Off Rouse RCAF and Sgt Twin, flight engineer, were identified by PoWs who buried them in the Riechenhasner Cemetery 3 miles south-west of Chemnitz along with eight other unidentified bodies who were buried by the Germans. Their graves, however, could not be located, neither were four other members of his crew and they are now commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Flt Sgt Hadlow, who was originally buried in the Chemnitz City Cemetery, now rests in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Berlin.

It is also possible that PD403 collided with Lancaster KB880 (WL-L) of 434 (Canadian) Squadron, however this is at odds with the Prisoner of War account of two aircraft exploding and ten aircrew bodies being buried at the crash site.

Flt Sgt Glen Hesler RCAF, rear gunner on the 434 Sqn Lancaster thought tells his story; "Hit by Lancaster after bombs gone. Put in rear turret, cut nose off Lancaster. Few seconds later Ju-88 (Junkers 88) sighted off starboard quarter and up at 600 yards. Save corkscrew. Fighter fired one burst. Hit on starboard wing. Hit starboard elevator. Hits scored on fighter. Landed at Carnaby." Flt Sgt Hesler goes on to tell that his crew had dropped their load of bombs and was unaware of any enemy aircraft in the area. He remembers looking down from his place in the turret and seeing two Merlin engines appearing on either side of the fuselage and realised that it was another Lancaster. The pilot of the other aircraft gently eased the nose of his aircraft under Lollipop and proceeded to bump her with enough force to get Plt Off Kitchens' (the pilot of WL-L) attention. This caused some damage to the landing gear and disabled the rear turret. Hesler felt that the other pilot may have been doing this to alert them of approaching enemy planes since there was no radio contact between aircraft. This incredibly dangerous manoeuvre would have been the only way to get their attention. Hesler surmised later that the other Lancaster was probably very badly damaged (from night fighter attack), and the plot may have known that he had no hope of survival.

As Hesler watched the Lancaster go down, he saw a Ju88 in a fast climb coming up past the other Lancaster to where they were. He recalls "I told John Kitchen to 'HOLD!', then I lost view of the fighter, realising he was going too fast: he needed to slow his speed and come in on our flight path to keep his guns on us in the curve of pursuit. He would have to hide behind our starboard rudder. The only way I would know he was in attack mode was if he fired and hit our aircraft." At that moment, shells were fired from the Ju88 causing some damage -one armour piece hit Lollipop's landing gear and the stabilizer was hit by a high explosive 20mm. "That was when I yelled at John Kitchen, 'Corkscrew Starboard! GO!' and I set up a box right over the starboard rudder and fired my twin 303's knowing he would be moving into that space. Another crew sighted the Ju88 going down in flames and we claimed it as probably destroyed." "We weren't aware of critical damage to our aircraft until Kitchen tried to let the landing gear down. The gear on the starboard side did not indicate it was locked down and the air traffic controller wouldn't let us land at our home base but sent us to a crash 'drome. The navigator, Doug Reid, set up the co-ordinates for the crash 'dome. The night was pitch black and we were unable to locate the airfield; we were about to abandon when I heard Doug telling Kitchen he had set the wrong co-ordinates. Corrections made, John floated it in, keeping the starboard wing higher than the port side and as he lost airspeed he came down... past the lock position on the starboard main wheel. John then proceeded to give us one of his best landings."

For many years, Hesler has lived with the knowledge that this other unknown pilot saved his life and those of his crew by putting himself in a highly dangerous position at a time when he must have been facing his own death this man had the forethought and courage to help the crew of Lollipop.

Years later, and quite by accident, Hesler came across the name of Robert William Abrams in the book "They Shall Not Grow Old - RCAF". This name, in turn, led him to Fg Off Charles Rouse and PD403, whereupon he discovered that four of the crew were fellow Canadians. He long wondered if one of these Canadians on board PD403 could possibly have been the heroic pilot who saved Lollipop and her crew. For many years, Glen Hesler has lived with this remarkable story of courage - not many nights go by that he didn't wake up and relive that night over Germany. His one wish was always to see the unknown pilot receive a posthumous commendation for this incredible act of bravery. If not for that man, the crew of Lollipop may also have been entries in the books listed in this story. Learning the identity of this gentleman could allow Glen to finally put to rest a memory which has been with him for most of his life.