Bernard was the son of Joseph and Pearl (Polly) Tragonsky of Edgeware. In 1939, the family were living at 254 Burdett Road, Stepney. Bernard’s father Joseph worked as a ladies tailor. They were a large family and Bernard had five sisters and three brothers.

Bernard was a navigator/ air bomber on Stirling R9248 which departed RAF Newmarket on a night operation to Lorient. The aircraft was hit by flak shortly after they released their bombs. The pilot attempted a crash landing at St Thégonnec, about 8 miles south east of Morlaix, France. All but one of the crew died in the crash and were laid to rest in St Thegonnec Communal Cemetery.

Pilot, F/S Robert Miln Kidd, RNZAF NZ412700. Evaded. Robert baled out of the burning aircraft and landed unconscious in a ploughed field. Local French people helped him with food, clothing and shelter and eventually arranged his journey through France and over the Pyrenees into Spain returning to the UK on 8 May 1943.

Nav, Sgt. James William Schofield, RAFVR 1088089
W/Op, Sgt. Eric Berry, RAFVR 1380078
F/E, Sgt. Gilbert Frank Mitchell, RAFVR 1479975
A/G, Sgt. James Edward Brewster, RAFVR 1035972
A/G, Sgt. Peter Douglas Fowler, RAFVR 1320278