This page holds names of deceased fellow Lions with last names beginning with the letters A to L. If you have any or further information about a deceased Lion's obituary that is documented here please forward it to Webmanager so it can be included. We also ask that you notify us when you become aware of a Lion's passing.
Ralph Hamilton Annis passed away at Wauklehegan Manor, McAdam, NB. on Monday, May 14, 2018. Born in McAdam, NB. January 11, 1931, he was the son of the late Harry Stanley and Esther (Moore) Annis.
Ralph joined the Royal Canadian Air Force when he was 17 years old and after serving as a radar technician, remustered and became a pilot, flying Vampires, Sabres, Harvards, T 33s, CF-104s and Tutors. Some said he was the best single seat pilot the Air Force ever had. He flew with the Golden Hawks aerobatic team for the first two of their five years of air shows across Canada as the Lead Solo pilot. As a member of the Overseas Ferry Unit, he set a cross-Canada speed record in an F86 Sabre flying from Vancouver to Halifax in five hours and thirty seconds, breaking the previous record by an hour and twenty minutes.
His military career took him to England, Germany (several times), Quebec, Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, where he was Base Commander of CFB Moose Jaw, Egypt,where he was Deputy Commander of UNEF II and Colorado Springs, where he was Deputy Commander, Cheyenne Mountain. He also spent a year attending the National Defence College in Kingston, Ontario.
At the age of 48 he retired from the Air Force, and settled back into his hometown, McAdam, where he was close to his beloved camp on Palfrey Lake. Many years of fishing, hunting, maple sugaring, swimming, four-wheeling and sledding followed. Seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren have learned to love the outdoors in the woods around Palfrey Lake.
But Ralph was not the type to lead a quiet life. He took a job flying the TBM Avenger to spray forests "bombing budworms" he called it, then became Mayor of McAdam, started a motel, ran for the NB Legislature (as a Liberal, the year every single seat was taken by the Tories}, served as Dominion Vice President of the Royal Canadian Legion, and was appointed as a Member of the Veterans’ Pensions Appeal Board, moving to Charlottetown, PEI for a few years where he again travelled across Canada holding assessment hearings.
He was supported throughout all this by his devoted wife, Margaret, the mother of his five children, Gayle (Guy), of Vancouver, Stuart (Debbie) of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Diane (Don) of Phoenix, Arizona, Robin, and her twin brother Robert. He was predeceased by Robert (1958), Robin (2007), and Margaret (2014).
He lived bravely on without Marg, never complaining as his strong mind and body began to falter. Ralph moved into Wauklehegan Manor in January 2017 after a series of falls. It was a true comfort to him to be back in his hometown of McAdam, and the family is grateful to all those who aided and assisted him in this last chapter.
The funeral service was held at St. Paul's United Church, 155 Saunders Road, McAdam, NB. at 2 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2018. Interment wa at Rockland Cemetery with a reception following at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 7, 9 Lake Avenue, McAdam.
Born in Sudbury and raised in Toronto, Ontario where he attended Ryerson Collegiate. Ron joined the RCAF in January 1958. After receiving his pilot wings in 1959, he trained as a F-86 "Sabre" fighter pilot at the O.T.U. in Chatam, N.B. He transferred to Europe in 1960, and flew with "Lion" Squadron at Zweibrücken, Germany, and later with 439 "Tiger" Squadron at Marville,France. Ron's feisty spirit stood him in good stead with his comrades in the air, and on the ice, where he excelled as right wing on the Squadron hockey team. Army left the RCAF in 1964 and attended University. However in 1966 he accepted a position with Canadian Pacific Airlines. He retired as a DC-10 Captain in 1995. Ron will be forever remembered for his humor and wit.
Part of an obituary by Dick Dunn
George Robert " Bob " Ayres born on December 9th, 1924 in Norfolk, Virginia died peacefully on May 16th at the Hospice House, at the age of 86. Bob's love of 62 years, Mary, passed away in May of 2007 and he is survived by his son Robert Ayres of Coldstream B.C.
Bob started his flying career with his private pilots license, soloing at age 16 in 1940. He joined the RCAF in 1943 instructing on various aircraft until the end of the war. After 3 years of bush flying he rejoined the RCAF in 1949 and obtained his A-1 Instructor ticket. In 1952 he went to Chatham and started flying the Sabre and in 1953 served three years at 3(F)Wing, Zweibrücken, Germany as a Fighter Pilot with 427 Squadron. ln 1956 he completed the Empire Test Pilots School at Farnborough, England and returned to Canada as a test pilot. For three years he was involved with cold weather testing of various aircraft and in 1961 was posted to Edwards Air Force base in California where he worked with a joint test force on the F-104. In 1962 he was posted back to 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrücken, Germany flying the CF-104 until 1968 where Bob was the Wing Test Pilot and Flight Safety Officer. Upon returning to Canada Bob retired from the Air Force in 1972 and resumed an 18 year civilian flying career until 1990 where he and Mary retired again in Blind Bay, BC. Bob could not stay away from flying and spent another 10 years flying float planes and testing.
Bob Ayres flew as a professional pilot for over 60 years and accumulated over 34000 flying hours and loved what he did and never flew a plane he didn't like. He will be missed by those who knew him as a friend and a comrade and for his humor , compassion, and joy of life.
The complete obituary and photos from his son, Robert Ayers is available - Here-
Jim was an F-86 pilot and after his military service had a distinguished career with Air Canada.
Art passed away peacefully at the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, Ottawa with family by his side, on March 5, 2020 at the age of 98. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his wife of almost 75 years, Theda (Tedde) (nee Fitzgerald); four children, Wayne (Susan), Carol Ann (Bill Campbell), Franky, Barbara (Rino DeGrazia), numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister, Pearl Stein and his brother, Lewis. As a veteran of WWII with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Art was posted to the 427 Lions Squadron as a tail gunner and completed a Tour of Operations - 34 missions over Europe. He worked for the federal government as an Air Traffic Controller Supervisor at the Ottawa airport until December 1978. Art enjoyed his family and friends, scotch and fine food and the many fun times at his and Tedde's Christie Lake cottage. Together, they enjoyed international travel and road trips across North America with their family. Art was a founding member of the Carleton Heights Curling Club. He was an amazing storyteller and had good times watching classic movies with his grandchildren. Although many times a champion, he won the annual Art and Tedde Invitational Lawn Dart Tournament at the age of 89. The family would like to extend a warm thank-you to the staff at the Perley Rideau Veterans' Health Centre for the care Art received.
See Tiny's history here in connection with a story he gave us regarding a friend F/O "Bud" Foxton. His wife, Jeanne, emailed that Tiny passed away "one week and a day" before the laying of the Ad Astra stone in memory of Bud Foxton. Jeanne went ahead and attended the laying of the stone which 8 Wing facilitated for her.
Service as a Wireless Air Gunner with 427 Squadron. Shot down in early 1944 and was a POW for the remainder of the war.
An excellent tribute and memorial to F/L Berg by his nephew, John G. Berg. Read More
Tony flew CF-104s with the RCAF/CAF. His major postings were as CO of 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake; Base Commander, 4 Wing Baden; Director Flight Safety, DND Hq; and Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Air Command, Winnipeg. He compiled more than 1000 hours in the CF-104. He was a "Cold War warrior" and his mission throughout most of his operational flying career was nuclear strike/attack. His military career began in a Flight Instructor role at which he excelled.
Thanks to Harry Prins for this information"
Charles Frederick Brazier, tired of lockdown at assisted living due to
covid 19, exited this world on May 26th, 2020 at the age of 97. He was born in Bracebridge,
Ontario, Canada to Agnes Toogood and William Brazier on March 28, 1923. He met Evelyn McEown,
his wife of almost 71 years, in Bracebridge. They later moved to Cedar City, Utah, where he got
his US citizenship.
He had a long career as a master brick and stone mason. He built many buildings
and homes all over southern Utah. He was especially talented at laying stone work in fireplaces
that were almost works of art.
During WWII, he was an air gunner and navigator in the 427 Lion Squadron of the Royal Canadian air force.
He and six of his 7 brothers served in WWII and all came home safe giving them notoriety in their home town
even today.
Charlie loved dancing, playing cards and gambling in Mesquite. He was passionate about golf and played every
day of his retired life up until he was 94. He played the Cedar Ridge golf course in Cedar City so much and he
was so consistent in his swing, that he could tell where his ball landed even after he was declared legally blind.
He was a lifetime member of the Cedar Elks Lodge. Charles was a wonderful father, grandpa and great grandpa. He
was good natured and easy going and enjoyed people. He is preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, his
brothers, Arthur, Edward, Bus, Robert, Victory, Percy, George and one sister, Mable. Charles is survived by
his daughter, Susan Behring, his grandchildren Krysta (Corey) Badger and Jason (Kathy) Behring and 5 great
grandchildren. He would have thanked everyone at Maple Springs and especially Bonnie at Intermountain Hospice
for taking such good care of him these last 2 years. No services will be held at this time. Condolences can be
sent to 592 E. 900 N. Brigham City, UT 84302.
Thanks to daughter Susan Behring
Life Member 427 Lion Squadron Association
I'm sorry, but I thought I had informed you earlier, but it is with much sadness that I have to write to inform you that my father, Derek, passed away peacefully in October 2015 aged 90 after a short illness.
Up until his death my father had kept in constant touch, by letters, with his former crew members of 427 Squadron, Pilot John Mullholland and Navigator Nathan Isaacs, both of Ontario. My father was a wonderful man, kind, thoughtful, generous and appreciative and he and I bonded into ‘best mates’ during his final years, following a stroke he suffered in 2003.
Father joined the RAF on the 4th May 1943 and was seconded to RCAF, as Flight Engineer, in July '44 until March'45. He flew 33 missions, initially in Halifax bombers and completed in Lancaster's. His operations included missions over Dortmund, Hagen, Bohlin, Wilhelmshaven, Goch, Wesel, Monheim, Essen, Hanover, Duisburg and many others surviving heavy flak, cannon shells and severe damage to the aircraft. He held in high regard his respect for his Pilot John Mullholland and was in contact with both John and his Navigator Nathan Isaacs in Ontario. I still have his Log book and many other items relating to his service years.
He married in '46 to Norma, a WRAF (2127222) and had two sons, my mother passed away in 1993 aged just 67
I attach two pictures of my father, one showing him during his service standing on the right of, I assume, either John, his Pilot or Nathan and (Ed.corrected by Nathan Isaacs who sent the photo below)the other shows him receiving his framed and mounted medals from RAF Brize Norton after I had organized the visit.
Thank you,
Alan Brinkley, Derek's son.
Part of Flight Sergeant Brinkley's crew in March 1945. From left to right Allen Horton, Derek Brinkley, Nathan Isaacs, Johnny Tribe and John Mullholland, the pilot.
Bruce retired from the Service as a Squadron Leader and joined the Public Service. He rose to become Deputy Minister in the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1975 to 1985. He passed away in Ottawa.
A Message from S/L Brittain's son.
My Dad is W. B. Brittain. Died September 26, 2007. Squadron Leader. DFC. Shot down 22:30 February 14, 1945. Mine laying mission. Crash landed near Knaplund, Denmark. Attacked by JU 88. Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada through his retirement.
Two died in plane: Ford and Peak. Five taken prisoner: Dellin, de Metz, Driscoll, McKay, Brittain.
Finally, if any of the families, Ford, Peak, de Metz, Driscoll and McKay would like to talk. I would greatly appreciate your sending me their contact details.
Warmest regards,
Bruce Brittain.
The casualty information from the Squadron diary.
See CJ Driscoll for more.
WW II Bomber Pilot with 427 Squadron
Intelligence Officer - 427 Squadron
Bill at 85, of Baysville, Ontario, passed away on September 15, 2021. He died
peacefully at the Biggar Saskatchewan Long Term Care facility. He was born to David and Norah
Brown on 23 October, 1935. He attended the Brown's Brae Public School until he began work in the
lumber camps at 15 years old. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1954 and served as an
aircraft mechanic with 3 Wing in Germany. He was a member of the RCAF Flyers hockey team and
played as a national level representing Canada in Europe. Upon release from the RCAF in 1959 he
returned to his family home at Nithgrove Farm near Baysville where he raised his six children, and
established his business, Brown's Enterprise, constructing cottages and docks on Lake of Bays,
Muskoka.
Bill was married to Jean Bowdige in 1955 and is survived by six children Bill, John, Carrie, Tom, Beth
and Leanne, ten grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Bill was predeceased by his first wife
Jean, second wife Merle, brother David and sister Janet.
Bill was known for his sense of adventure and a quick smile. He spent the last years of his life in
Biggar Saskatchewan, where he lived with his wife Merle.
Don Buchanan a resident of West Kelowna BC, passed away peacefully in Kelowna after a lengthy battle with kidney disease at the age of 85 years.
Don is survived by his loving wife Lucy. Daughters Donna (Garth) Fennuik, Linda (Edwin) Harms, Carol (Ken) Hubbard. Grandchildren Michelle (Lee), Jason, Mike (Jasmine), Jennyfer (Dustin), Miranda (Steve), Mathew, Scott, Stephen, Kelly & Lee. Great Grandchildren Sierra, Jesse, Niki, Grayson, Samantha, Sydney, Logan, Levi, Connor. Sister Joyce Hucul from Lady Smith BC. Don was predeceased by parents Harold & Ella, brother Bev, sister Jean McClelland & granddaughter Jacquline.
Don met the love of his life Lucy on a blind date in Montreal and married shortly thereafter. Together they raised their 3 girls. ‘His family was his life.
Don was a proud Canadian & loved his country. He served in the RCAF for 24 years and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. After Don retired from the Air force he worked for the Saskatchewan government then upon this retirement he and wife Lucy moved to West Bank BC.
In 1942 he enlisted in the RCAF and in 1943 joined 427 Squadron in Leeming as a mid-upper gunner. During the evening of March 15,1944 while engaged with night fighters his aircraft was shot down over Stuttgart. He spent 13 months as a POW in Germany and Poland. He escaped twice and was recaptured the first time. During his second escape he finally made contact with a Regiment of the 15th Scottish Division who assisted him to return to England.
Group Captain Dudley Burnside, who has died aged 93, flew bomber and transport operations over the North-West Frontier in the late 1930s and was decorated for gallantry; he went on to complete two tours of operations in Bomber Command, and later flew Sunderland flying boats during the Korean conflict.
Dudley Henderson Burnside was born on January 26 1912 at Woodford, Essex. He was educated at King Edward VI School, Bury St Edmunds. Aged 17, he enlisted in the Territorial Army and served as a private soldier with the 14th London Regiment for six years before joining the RAF in October 1935 to train as a pilot. After flying with No 58 Bomber Squadron for a year, he was posted to India.
Burnside arrived in India in 1937 and joined the Bomber-Transport Flight at Lahore, flying the antiquated biplane Valentia transport aircraft. He was soon in action against the dissident tribesmen of the troublesome region. This included night bombing against the villages and caves of the Fakir of Ipi, after leaflets had been dropped earlier during the day to warn the inhabitants to evacuate the area. He also carried out many bombing raids against the cave complexes on the Afghanistan border.
He transferred to No 31 Squadron in April 1939 and was appointed as a flight commander. Throughout the remainder of the year he was continually engaged in operations against the Fakir's forces, and on one bombing operation he destroyed the enemy's headquarters. In 1940 he was awarded the DFC.
In September 1940 the Army garrison at Chitral was relieved by air for the first time. Burnside and his pilots flew continually to effect a relief, taking a few days rather than the weeks involved in the previous overland operations. After taking off fully laden with troops and stores, the old Valentias had to circle for more than an hour before they had sufficient height to clear the 10,400-foot Lawarai Pass.
Burnside and his fellow pilots flew reinforcements to Singapore in February 1941, but they saw their first action at the end of March. A pro-German politician, Rashid Ali, seized power in Iraq, and Burnside led a flight of No 31's Valentias from Karachi to Shaibah, near Basra, with Army reinforcements. He carried out many similar flights during April and May, and on one occasion was en route to Habbaniya when a fierce dust storm forced him to land, short of fuel, at a small airstrip. Within minutes he realised he was behind enemy lines as ground forces opened fire, wounding his gunner and damaging the aircraft. Despite the poor weather conditions, lack of fuel and his damaged aircraft, he immediately took off downwind and was able to escape, arriving at Habbaniya with virtually no fuel left.
Flying requisitioned Indian Airline Douglas DC2 transport aircraft, No 31 moved to Burma in February 1942. Burnside was made a liaison officer with the American Volunteer Group (the Flying Tigers) before assuming command of the airfield at Akyab. Three weeks later he just managed to escape as the Japanese overran it. After almost five years of operations in India, Afghanistan and Burma, Burnside returned to England, where he converted to the Wellington and joined Bomber Command.
In November 1942, Burnside was promoted to Wing Commander and appointed to form and command a new Canadian Wellington squadron, No 427, based in north Yorkshire. With others from his Squadron he attacked many industrial targets during the so-called Battle of the Ruhr.
On the night of March 5 he was sent to bomb Essen, and his aircraft was hit by flak before reaching the target. The navigator, who was standing beside Burnside, was killed; the wireless operator had a foot blown off. The aircraft controls were damaged and fumes quickly filled the cockpit. Burnside decided to press on, and he successfully bombed the target despite being illuminated by searchlights. On the return flight, night fighters attacked the Wellington, but Burnside's evasive action and the fire by his gunner shook them off. With limited control, he flew the badly-damaged bomber back to base, where he made an emergency landing at an airfield in Suffolk. For his outstanding airmanship and courage, he was awarded a Bar to his DFC. Two of his crew also received DFCs, and the wireless operator was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
Shortly after his squadron converted to the Halifax bomber, Burnside was attacked five times by different aircraft during a raid on München-Gladbach.
On May 24 1943 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer adopted No 427 and allowed the names of stars such as Lana Turner, Greer Garson and Joan Crawford to be displayed on the aircraft. In recognition of this association, No 427 adopted the name "Lion Squadron", a title which persists to this day.
In September 1943 Burnside took command of RAF Woodbridge, Suffolk, one of three airfields on the east coast designed to allow crippled bombers to crash-land immediately after crossing the coast on the airfield's extra-long and very wide runway. In one month alone, Burnside and his staff had to deal with 72 heavy bombers that had crash-landed. He was mentioned in dispatches.
In October 1944 Burnside volunteered to return to operations, and assumed command of No 195 Squadron, flying Lancaster bombers. He led it on many night and daylight bombing raids over Germany in the lead up to VE Day. Returning from Gelsenkirchen, his Lancaster was badly damaged and set on fire, and he was forced to make an emergency landing on three engines at Brussels airport. He was awarded the DSO.
Burnside was granted a permanent commission in the RAF and served on the staff of No 38 Group before leaving for the Far East. After converting to the Sunderland flying boat, he took command in early 1949 of the RAF base at Koggala in Ceylon, where his squadrons flew air-sea rescue and reconnaissance sorties over the Indian Ocean. On the closure of the base a year later, he took command of the Far East Flying Boat Wing at Seletar, in Singapore. The Wing's Sunderlands flew anti-terrorist patrols around Malaya before providing detachments at Iwakuni in Japan during the Korean War. Burnside commanded the units, which flew anti-shipping and coastal patrols off Korean waters. For his services with the Wing during the conflict, Burnside was appointed OBE.
After completing a familiarisation course on jet aircraft, Burnside assumed command of RAF Hemswell in Lincolnshire, the home of two Canberra bomber squadrons. The filming of The Dam Busters took place during his time there. After two years he took up an appointment at the Headquarters of the Allied Air Forces Central Europe (AAFCE) at Fontainebleau. In 1959 he was the Deputy Director of Organisation at the Air Ministry, retiring from the RAF in 1962 with the rank of group captain.
Burnside was an excellent artist. He was a very early member of the Guild of Aviation Artists and exhibited for many years at its annual show. He specialised in oils, using a limited palette based on white and browns. Many of his subjects were drawn from his own flying career. In addition, he was particularly keen on painting First World War aviation scenes. He was elected a vice-president of the guild.
He made numerous visits to Canada as a guest of his old squadron. Officiating at a change of command ceremony in 1995, he was made an honorary colonel of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Burnside was a keen sportsman, and represented the RAF at squash in India; he also played hockey for his county. A quiet, unassuming man of great integrity and courtesy, he was deeply affected by the losses amongst his young bomber crews.
Dudley Burnside died on September 20. He married first, in 1942, Denise Dixon; the marriage was dissolved in May 1985, and the following year he married Joyce Waldren, who died in 2003. He is survived by a son and a daughter from his first marriage and by a stepson and stepdaughter.
More pictures are available here
Report on the Essen raid
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying). Born 1920 in Cooksville, Ontario; home in Port Credit, enlisted at Galt, August 28, 1940. Cited with Flight Lieutenant George Laird(RCAF). Their incident occurred on the night of October 3, 1943 participating in a raid on Kassel. 75 aircraft from 6th Bomber Group took part and 5 were listed as missing on the raid.
The citation reads:
"Flight Lieutenant Laird and Sargent Cardy were Pilot and Flight Engineer respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Kassel one night in October , 1943. During the operation the bomber was hit by a hail of bullets from an enemy fighter. Nevertheless, Flt. Lt. Laird coolly and skillfully outmanoeuvered the enemy aircraft and set course for this country. Two of his crew had been killed, however, and Sgt. Cardy was wounded in the arm and the eye. In spite of intense suffering, this gallant airman refused to leave his post and executed his normal duties until he fainted through loss of blood. Later, when he recovered consciousness, he attempted to do as much as he could to assist his Captain in the homeward flight. By a superb effort, Flt. Lt. Laird succeeded in reaching Base where he effected a safe landing in difficult circumstances. This officer displayed outstanding skill, courage and tenacity, while Sgt Cardy's exemplary conduct and great fortitude were beyond praise."
Ray was the CO when Canada "de-nuclearized" the force and moved 427 to Baden-Baden, 4 (f) Wing when Zweibrücken closed. Ray was posted next to 4 ATAF at Ramstein, then RAF Manby then back to HQ in Ottawa. Before he retired he also was CFA in Prague CSSR, 1976-1978. He retired in 1989.
Information supplied by his daughter Alicia
The Canadair Sabre, 1986, Larry Milberry, page 157
On 1 February 1955, then with 422 Squadron, F/O Ray Carruthers safely ejected from Sabre #23193 off Valencia en route Baden Baden - Rabat.
Ray Carruthers was flying 23193 heading for Rabat and cruising at 39,000 when his engine packed up. There was an explosion, then another on the way down at 12,000. At 6,000 feet it was time to get out. He was adrift for 11 1/4 hours before being picked up by the steamer Sahara. The sea had just about claimed him by that time. In later years he flew CF-104s, F-105s and on the F-111.
The tenor voice, endless jokes and talks about his POW experiences that were so much a part of Edward Carter-Edwards are now history. In his 94th year, Ed passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at McNally House.
Born in Montreal in 1923, his family moved to Hagersville then Hamilton. Ed joined the RCAF during WWII. When his Halifax bomber was shot down June 1944, he was captured and incarcerated along with 167 other allied airmen in Buchenwald Concentration Camp. After liberation, Ed returned home and married Lois (nee Russell) in 1946 and settled in Ancaster.
Ed's voice could be heard in productions of the Hamilton Theatre Company, Harlequin Singers and Church choirs at Ancaster, Hamilton and Smithville.
After retiring from Westinghouse/Camco, Ed and Lois moved to Bala and Bradenton, Florida before settling in Smithville in 1994.
Ed was a co-founder of the Hamilton/Burlington chapter of the National POW Association, member of the Konzentrationslager Buchenwald (KLB), Association Française Buchenwald Dora et kommandos, the RCAF Association, RCAFA 434 Wing, 427 Lion Squadron, Smithville Legion Branch 393, 6th RCAF Museum in Dunnville, and Honorary member of the OPP Veterans Association.
Ed spent many hours talking to elementary through university level students, service clubs, and various associations at home and abroad on his war experiences, the dangers of intolerance and need for compassion and human understanding. Ed's message is still relevant and will be in years to come. He will be missed by many friends in Canada, United States and Europe, especially Germany where he spoke at memorial events at Buchenwald.
Ed is survived by Lois his loving wife of 70 years, children Dennis (Karen) and Leanne (Mike), grandchildren Trent (Betty), Craig (Sue), Tyler, Justin, John, and great grandchildren Sean, Chloe and Callum. He is now re-united with his daughter Lynda and his siblings.
Our family would like to thank Dr. Cano and staff, McNally House Hospice, all physicians, nurses, personal support workers, and friends who have provided their expertise, prayers, compassion, home and hospital visits, home cooked meals, singing and music for Ed. We would like to also thank VAC for their support.
Presentation by L/Col Jeff Orr to Ed Carter Edwards at Canadian Warplane Heritage site, Hamilton.
MGen Chisholm left home in Sackville, N.B. in 1953 to attend College Militaire Royale. He finished there in 1956 and began flying training. His career in the Air Force began in 1957 when he joined 432 Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec and served there for six years flying the CF-100 and as Station Flight Safety Officer. A three year exchange tour with 111 Squadron of the Royal Air Force followed during which he flew the Lightning All-Weather fighter. In 1966 he was promoted to Squadron Leader and appointed Senior Staff Officer Flight Safety at Air Defence Command Headquarters. Following Staff College in 1970 he was posted to 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. He trained with 403 Squadron in Petawawa in the fall and completed training on the Twin Hueys in January, 1971. He then moved to 427 Squadron which at that time did not have any Hueys. This period was shortly after the beginning of the military unification, and the squadron was in the Army environment. The members of the squadron, particularly the officers, were Army, Navy, and Air Force. At that time he was a Major but there were other officers who were more senior than he was. In May of that year, 403 Squadron received some new CUH-1N Hueys and further training was required. In June, 427 Squadron also received the Hueys and BGen Chisholm flew with them until October. His most interesting flight with the squadron was going to Texas to fly one of our new Kiowas back to 427.
In less than a year MGen Chisholm was assigned to 403 Squadron in Petawawa as DCO, since the Deputy Commanding Officer was sent to another job. It was a training unit which provided a new experience for him. Two months later the Commanding Officer was unexpectedly taken away from 427 Squadron, and Bob as a Major became the Acting CO. During the summer of 1972 he moved the squadron to Gagetown, N.B. and it became an operational training unit with a new CO, Lieutenant Colonel Wright. LCol Wright had been the DCO whom Bob had replaced and he also had Army helicopter unit experience. MGen Chisholm was posted back to 403 Squadron. A year later LCol Wright was sent to Germany and Bob was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and assumed command of the unit. It was an excellent squadron and after 3 years he was sent to NDHQ in Ottawa. In 1976 he was promoted to Colonel and assumed the position of Director of the Directorate of Flight Safety.
After NDHQ he became the Base Commander in Comox, B.C., and then in 1972 he was posted to St. Hubert, P.Q. to be the DCOMD of 10 Tactical Air Group which controlled all army helicopter squadrons in Canada. A year later he was promoted to Brigadier General and became Commander of 10 TAG for three years. He had spent eleven years in the army tactical helicopter world and had the opportunity to work with many officers and non-commissioned members. It was a very professional organization and he was proud to have been involved with them. Another positive aspect of this part of his career was that the Army was very satisfied with the way the air operations were able to support them.
His last position was DCOMD of Air Command and he retired in 1990. In the civilian world he worked for aerospace companies who were interested in providing new helicopters and commercial maintenance to the military. A few years after his retirement in 1996 he was invited to become the Honourary Colonel of 427 Squadron. Once again he was very impressed with the squadron, the facilities and the quality of the aircrew and support members. The senior officers did a wonderful job and were excellent leaders. He felt it was an honour to have been involved with 427 Squadron during his career.
Gwen passed away as a reult of a sudden tragic accident. She was the wife of our Patron, Major-General (Ret)Robert Chisholm, CMM, CD. She and Bob successfully partnered a 35 year military career with postings to Bagotville, Wasttisham, England, North Bay, Toronto, Petawawa, Ottawa, Gagetown and Comox.
With thanks to BGen Ed Godson for sending the email below and the photos.
While looking through the BIO section of the web pages, I noticed that there was no photo for MGen Robert Chisholm. I found an official CF photo of him on line that I suggest would be a fitting addition to his Bio. As well I have an old Sqn photo from 1971 that shows him when he was DCO to LCol Harrison(click here for Bio). The photo was taken during the reformation of the Sqn which is why there are so few pilots in the photo. I arrived on Sqn in Nov 72 as part of the build up of pilots to accommodate the arrival of the Kiowas.
Sincerely,
BGen Ed Gosden (ret)
And Ken Sorfleet, copied on the email, replied to Ed, "I have forwarded the group photo to Dave Harrison, his son and long time helicopter pilot as well."
Passed away peacefully on July 5, 2021 at the age of 87. Predeceased by his cherished wife of 62 years, Phyllis. Loving father of Jacques Couillard and wife Mercedis, Paul Couillard and husband Ed. Proud grandfather of Carlee Couillard. Dear brother of Monique Couillard and Robert Couillard. Brother-in-law of Karen Hrga-Meagher, Lorraine Weeks, and Cher Kater.
Joe had a distinguished career in the Canadian Air Force, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, as well as over 20 years of civil service at the Canadian Ministry of Transport. Cremation has taken place. He will be interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Leamington, ON.
It is with sadness that we report the death of Shawn Corwyn Coyle who joined the Lion Squadron in 1975.
Shawn was born into a military family on 8 June 1950 in Pembroke, Ontario to Donald and Helen Coyle (both deceased). His dad retired as a CWO in the RCE, and Shawn's subsequent growing up was mainly in Chilliwack, BC and North Bay, ON. Shawn always had an interest in flying, and his appetite was further wetted by his being awarded his Private Pilot's Wings through Air Cadets in 1967.
He attended RRMC (Royal Roads Military College) and RMC (Royal Military College) from 1969 to 1973, obtained a degree in Civil Engineering, and completed his wings training on CF5s in 1974. He then converted to helicopters and was posted to 427 the following year. Shawn spent a full tour with 427 and subsequently by his own desire was channeled into test flying. He was posted to the Empire Test Pilot Course at Boscombe Downs in the UK, in 1979 and stayed on as an exchange officer until 1982 when he was posted to Canada's Aerospace and Engineering Test Establishment.
He left the CF in 1984 to serve as a test pilot for Bell Helicopters in Fort Worth, TX. and then instructed from 1985 to 1989 at the US Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxtent River, MA. From 1989 to 1992 he was the Principal Rotary Wing Instructor, at the International Test Pilots School in Cranfield, England. Shawn remained in the UK as an Independent Aviation Consultant until 1995 and then came back to Canada to become an Engineering Test Pilot at Transport Canada until 2001. He then assumed Branch Chief responsibilities for the Helicopter Program at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, CA until 2004. He subsequently had short stints as an Emergency Medical Service Pilot in Mojave, as Director of Flight Operation at Agusta in Philadelphia, and as Director of Certification at AeroSimulators Group in Belgium and the USA until 2007. In 2007 he created his own Aviation Consulting Company, Eagle Eye Solutions LLC. He has written extensively on aviation related topics and was often called upon for accident analysis and expert testimony. In addition, he published six major books on helicopter related topics including: 40 Years Afore The Mast Volume 1 and 2; Cyclic and Collective; The Little Book of Autorotations; and Helicopter Aerodynamics Volume 1, 2 and 3. The above feature photo of Shawn came from that website. As well, he and two other RMC classmates founded a private company, Aeroserve Technologies Ltd., in 1997, and they and their company were inducted into NASA's Space Technology Hall of Fame in 2009 for their successful commercialization of their AirTab Vortex Generator, which was originally a device conceived for the transport of the Shuttle on the Boeing 747, and now is widely employed throughout the world, particularly in the trucking business. Shawn also separately received the Helicopter Association International's Excellence in Communication Award in 2013.
The photo below clearly comes from his early days with 427 Squadron...pictured is Shawn receiving the Collective Challenge Trophy on behalf of his crew from BGen Loomis. Collective Challenge was an annual competition among all the Tactical Helicopter Squadrons with one crew from each of the Kiowa and Huey flights from every squadron competing on a challenging precision flying contest. Well done Shawn and great show 427.
Shawn's health had been deteriorating over the last few years, but he was still active in accident investigations and sought after for his expertise. He went downhill fast about a week prior to his death and died in the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont on 19 June, 2021.
He is survived by his wife of more than seven years, Tricia Coyle (nee Patricia G. Coleman)of Charlotte, Vermont; his children and grandchildren: Erin (b75 m03 Ben Coppin and children Joseph b05 and Beth b07) of Ely, UK; Patrick (b77 m01 Sarah and children Pippa b04 and Dexter b10) of Northhampton, UK: and Katie (b85) also of Northhampton; as well as by their mother Beverly Coyle (m74 div06 nee Nichols)of Long Buckby UK. He is also survived by his brothers Allan (m Jeanette of Kelowna, BC and Eric (m Jyoti) of Calgary, AB.
Shawn, good luck with your test flight of your next set of wings.
Ed Note: Thanks to fellow RMC Classmate and Lion Ken Sorfleet
Served with 427 Squadron, Bomber Command, out of Leeming during WWII, from November 1942 to February 1945. Clarence Derry of Lancaster, Ontario passed away suddenly at the Blake Hospital, Bradenton, Florida on Sunday, February 7, 1993 in his 70th year. Beloved husband of Grace Clark Derry and the late Margaret Squires. Dear father of Gary (Heather) of Keswick, Ontario and Howard(Suzanne) of Pointe Claire, P.Q..
Thanks to son Gary Derry for forwarding this information
It is with heartfelt sorrow, that the family of Claude Gerald Dixon, husband of Evelyn (Long) Dixon, announce his passing on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Ridgewood Veteran’s Wing.
Born on August 31, 1938, in Ottawa, ON, he was the son of the late Gerald and Gwendolyn (Cochrane) Dixon. Claude served his country during the Cold War; he was an Officer for 427 Squadron as a Pilot for several years. After his service, Claude was employed as a Regional Manager for London Life in Saint John until his retirement. Claude was an avid skier, with a competitive side towards all sports. He was also an avid sailor, later in life, he could be found sailing his boat the Cumulus on the Kennebecasis River. Claude and Evelyn enjoyed travelling and cruising to many destinations. He was a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church Rothsay NB
Besides his loving wife, Claude is survived by his daughters; Karen Cameron (Scott), and Kim Dixon (Kenny Guilmette), both of Ottawa, ON, stepdaughter Heather Bradley (Richard) of Bridgewater, NS, grandchildren; Ashley Boyle (Matthew), Amanda Maxwell (Tyler), Kayla Scott, and Jamie Scott, great grandchildren; June Maxwell, Chloe Portt, and Korbin Lewis, as well as many friends. He will be missed by all who knew him. Besides his parents, Claude was predeceased by grandson Daniel.
Claude or “Dixie” as he was sometime known on the Squadron was a member of the Single Men’s Union (SMU) in the 427 Squadron barracks at Zweibrucken. His comrades during that period in 1959-61 have many fond memories of shared air and ground experiences.
Brigadier General William Robert (Bob),(Dobber) Dobson, CD2, O.M.M. (ret'd) From Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, slipped the surly bounds of earth and kissed the face of God on January 27, 2011 with family by his side. He was CO of 427 Squadron from 1976 to 1978.
His creativity and sense of humour charmed many, calmed crises, was a welcome distraction at many events and resulted in lasting friendships across the world. In addition to a joke or story, Bob was capable of knocking off a poem or a limerick on many occasions. Growing up, Bob was a resourceful youth, always having a job or two to put money in his pocket. His eclectic work experiences created a very unique man with a vision for his future.
Bob joined the R.C.A.F in 1956 and completed his pilot training in Moose Jaw Sask. in 1957. He was a pilot, keen to fly, with a natural talent to lead, inspire, mentor and teach. He instructed on Harvards and Expeditors at the R.C.A.F Station, Moose Jaw until 1963; spending 1961 flying with the Golden Hawks and the next two years flying with the Harvard Aerobatic Team. Bob's skills and leadership talents were recognized early as he was posted to Ottawa as the Tutor Project Officer working on the construction of the CT114 Jet Trainer (Snow Bird airplane). In 1966, Bob was promoted to Sqn Leader and attended Cdn Forces Staff School in Toronto as a member of the first integrated (army air force and navy) College Course. Bob was posted to Cold Lake in 1968 to complete 104 pilot training before being posted to Baden, Germany to fly the jets full time with 422 and 441 Sqns. When Bob was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he and his family were posted back to Cold Lake Alberta for a three year term as Base Operations Officer, before being posted to Petawawa as Commander 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. Bob had a tour in Borden and 10 TAG (St Hubert, PQ) and a wonderful three year term as Base Commander CFB Comox, BC before heading to NDHQ in Ottawa to fly a “mahogany bomber” full time until retirement as Director General of Force Development (1984-1991). During this final posting, Bob had the privilege of representing Canada and the Canadian Forces on several significant international committees, within Canada and abroad, for example the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks.
As busy as Bob was with school or work, he always found time for fun, family and friends throughout his life. He had a knack for theatre, including time with the Regina Little Theatre, before he joined the military. Bob rarely turned down an opportunity to participate in skits or plays. Hobbies? Where to start; hunting, fishing, golfing, cooking, crossword puzzles, reading, taking the stage to tell a joke or three whenever he could, and sports with his children, for starters. His children were proud to brag on his behalf about his time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders! In addition to sports, he was very supportive of his family getting engaged in the community and the church where they lived. After retiring from the military, Bob's consulting company B.I.S.I facilitated his continued connections with military projects (e.g., Project 2010) as well as work within the academic community, with robotics experts, future-focused projects, Club of Rome and the transportation industry. Even in this role he continued to lead, inspire, mentor, entertain with his contagious sense of humour and encourage his friends, colleagues and family to work towards the perfect work-life balance. We have lost an inspiring man, a dedicated mentor, a loving father and husband, a loyal friend and a creative soul.
From the The Air Force Association of Canada data base.
John joined the RCAF at the age of 21 and spent four years overseas in bomber command as a navigator, completing a full tour of duty before he was shot down during his second tour over Germany on January 5, 1945. He became a prisoner of war until being liberated in May of that year.
Post war he attended Dalhousie University where he graduated in 1948 with a commerce degree. In the following years he completed his C.A. and eventually took over a Ford dealership in Dartmouth which he operated for thirty years.
John had three cherished interests aside from his family. He played the clarinet with the Dixi Tech Seven; he enjoyed the outdoors fishing with friend and family and being known as a "crafty" left-handed golfer who thrived under pressure.
John and his wife Helen were happily married for sixty years.
See also Op of January 5, 1945 and crew of "Y" NR257
CJ was born April 28th, 1914 in Arthur, Ontario and died April 15,1991 at the age of 76 from a very rare type of leukemia.
He played hockey for the University of Toronto, and was recruited to Powassan to play hockey and work as a principal.
He was a well respected member of the community, from a math teacher and principal for the local Powassan high school, then vice principal Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, where he has an academic/athlete award named after him. He also has a lounge at the Powassan legion named after him, and was also President of both the Powassan Legion and Lions Club.
Another crew member of William Bruce Brittan was Mickey McKay However he died died in a car accident, but that's all I have about him, he stayed good friends with my grandpa.
Thanks to Jeff Driscoll,CJ's grandson, for providing the above information.
The casualty information from the Squadron diary.
See WB Brittain for more.
Master Warrent Officer Wayne Douglas Durkee was born to Alison and Elaine Durkee on October 27, 1971 in Yarmouth Nova Scotia. He passed away on January 7, 2024 after a fight with cancer. Wayne is survived by his loving wife and best friend Catherine Durkee, his cherished sons Jessie (Katelynn Stonehouse) Sebastian ( Kayla Wagner);his grandson Joshua, his brother Troy Durkee(Carrie Steidel), his sister Heidi Durkee ( Jonathan Ernst) brother Joshua Durkee, mother in law Isabelle Connors, brother in law Warren Connors (Amy Connors)and his friends who are family David and Sherry Fredette.
Wayne had a long and dedicated career with the RCAF, which sprung from his youth as a cadet. Wayne had a desire to serve from a young age and after graduating college in Yarmouth he joined the RCAF as an Aviation Systems tech. This career took him Catherine and the boys to various postings including Shearwater, Petawawa, Goose Bay and his most recent posting to 435 Squadron in CFB Winnipeg. When not working Wayne could be found hiding away at their trailer with Catherine, fishing with his sons, and enjoying a beer by the lake. If you couldn’t find Wayne in the hanger you could find him by his smoker.
Even at the end he found a way to smile and laugh, and hold onto the grumpy facade that we all knew and loved. Wayne will be remembered for his grumpy wit, quick laugh and his clearly evident love and pride for everyone around him.
We all love and miss you Wayne.
“ Sunsets are painted by loved ones to me. You may look around and just see a sunset, but once ( they mean something to you, they are the most gorgeous thing you’ll see. When you lose somebody you love, it makes you think about them, but you also know they’re proud of you.” Author Unknown.
Ed. Note: a more extensive bio for Wayne follows from Major Edwin Yost at a DEPART WITH DIGNITY AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE assembly recently held in Winnipeg.
WAYNE'S BIO (Thanks to MAJ Edwin YOST)
Throughout his twenty-six-year military career, Master Warrant Officer Wayne Durkee exemplified the best qualities of the RCAF Air Maintenance Branch and the CAF NCM Corps through his relentless dedication to the mission and to the welfare and development of his fellow members. MWO Durkee’s focus on excellence was immediately noticed when, as a junior Corporal, he was posted to 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron and swiftly became a key member of many helicopter air detachments due to his technical acumen, level of maturity, and willingness to accept greater responsibilities. Over the course of the following three years, then-Cpl Durkee accumulated 214 days at sea on various ships, culminating in a deployment on HMCS Halifax for OP SIRIUS in 2005. Following a promotion to MCpl, he was posted to 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron where he became a valued instructor for the airframe, engine, and weapons portions of the AVN type course. Then-MCpl Durkee was notable for his exacting standards for the next generation of maritime helicopter technicians, for passionately passing along his operational knowledge, and his willingness to mentor students who were struggling, working long hours over extended periods to prepare and deliver lessons tailored to the needs of the students, enabling their success.
Promoted to Sgt in 2010, he was posted to 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron where he was employed as a maintenance crew chief, deputy Employment and Training Officer, and deputy air weapons officer in addition to being responsible for the suite of mission kit used by 427 SOAS. Then-Sgt Durkee deployed with the unit as maintenance lead numerous times to various unclassified and classified locations and was noted for “his drive to take care of his people, Unit, and the mission.” His dedication to his fellow members and the mission resulted in their superiors crediting them for “getting stuff done when crunch time came along but he always did it safely by leading from the front. He was well-respected by all ranks at the Unit.”
Posted to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 2015 with a promotion to WO, he became “a trusted advisor to the 444 (CS) Sqn CO, mentored their supervisor, a first tour Captain, and held Senior Maintenance Manager responsibilities”, which is a significant technical airworthiness responsibility. At one point, in addition to his responsibilities as the Senior Air Maintenance Superintendent (SAMS), they were also the acting Squadron Warrant Officer (an MWO position) and the SAMEO (a Capt position), leading to him being nicknamed the SWAMSEO. In addition to his military duties, then-WO Durkee was “a constant presence and often volunteered at functions held both at the Unit and Wing level, contributing to overall morale and a positive and inclusive environment.” This included hosting an annual Spring Maple Taffy tasting event at his home that has become a 5 Wing tradition, an open house each year at Christmas for members of the unit, and constructing items for auction at the MFRC’s annual fundraiser. The 5 Wing Commander at the time noted that “Wayne Durkee’s sense of humour, humility, and passion combined to leave a legacy at 5 Wing that will long outlast his tour in Goose Bay.”
Promoted to MWO in 2019, Wayne was posted to 1 Cdn Air Div HQ, A4 Maint armament section. Arriving with little ammunition background, MWO Durkee’s focus on excellence drove him to rapidly learn the various armament policies, and he quickly became one of the RCAF’s foremost armament SMEs. During his brief tenure at 1 CAD, he led the adoption of AESIMS, a new capability through which the CAF modernized the means of conducting armament safety reporting and the management of armament licenses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MWO Durkee unhesitatingly performed onsite inspections to ensure that RCAF units could continue to fulfil its mandates. Posted to 435 (Transport & Rescue) Squadron in 2021 as the unit SAMS, MWO Durkee led a cultural evolution within maintenance to restore accountability and replace the climate of fear with one of openness and communication. To the very end, Wayne exemplified dedication to the mission, the CAF, and to their fellow members, working tirelessly to pass on his knowledge and experience even while battling cancer. MWO Durkee was a consummate professional who set the example for NCMs in the CAF.
We remember Wayne's extensive service, particularly as a Lion.
Al d'Eon completed two operational tours in WW II on 427 Squadron and was awarded the DFC for his skill, fortitude and devotion to duty. On his second tour he served as Squadron Signals Officer and a trusted member of the Commanding Officer's crew - an outstanding record for sure.
Upon discharge from His Majesty's Service, Al proceeded to further his education, get a job, marry, and raise a family. On all counts he was eminently successful. Al and his beloved wife Helen raised three lovely daughters and his diversified work in the broadcasting field matched his talents and training perfectly.
In 1980 an invitation was extended to 427 Squadron by the Allied Air Forces Reunion Committee to be one of the Honoured Squadrons at the annual reunion at the Royal York in Toronto. Al volunteered to serve on the AAFR Committee and he1ped to organize the 1980 event. G/C Dudley Burnside was the keynote speaker and the Petawawa Lions assembled a fine display of squadron memorabilia.The reunion was resounding success and from that time forward, Al began to assume a leadership role as a 427 Squadron representative. He had capable associates but this enthusiasm, ability, and persuasive charm spread to those round him and a remarkable chain of events evolved. For the next twenty-four years there have been one or more annual Gatherings of the Lions in some form. There has been tremendous support from all ranks at Petawawa and Lions elsewhere -- but more and more it was Al d'Eon who made good things happen.
During this period Al was busy in other ways too. In 1993 he, along with 200 Canadian Air Force veterans, attended the dedication of a memorial cairn in the Village of Leeming in memory of those who lost their lives serving on 427 and other Canadian squadrons based at Leeming in WW II. Al chaired the Canadian committee and for more than a year worked diligently on the project with his British and Canadian counterparts to make the memorial a reality.
At the AAFR Reunion in 1995 it was suggested by some Lion attendees that an Association be formed. Al immediately took the bull by the horns and the 427 Lion Squadron Association was soon up and running with membership from the bomber, fighter and helicopter eras. He was our first and only Association Chairman and worked tirelessly to make the new organization a success. No task was too large or too small and he had his finger on all the buttons. Among his achievements he inaurated our newsletter ROAR in December 1996, and since 2001 handled all the planning, production and mailing and much of the editorial work. We have always been fortunate in having a skilled graphics expert but it was Al who made ROAR roar.
In November 1999, Al d'Eon succeeded MGen Bob Chisholm(ret)as Honourary Colonel. This was a popular appointment and recognition of Al's outstanding contribution to the squadron and the association. He always had a quip and noted that he advanced from Flight Lieutenant to Group Captain in one day. Al carried out his duties and responsibilities with distinction and was asked to continue in office for one more year. In early 2003 Al journeyed to Bosnia to visit the Lions on deployment. While he found the experience rewarding, and wouldn't have I missed it for the world, he wasn't at all well at the time. The fact that he made the trip is yet another example of his grit and determination. In October 2003 Al turned over the reins of office to Bob Middlemiss after four great years as Honourary Colonel.
I spent several hours with Al a few days before his fatal attack. He was working on ROAR 17 and had plans for the issue well underway. Despite having been very ill he was determined to see the next issue "on the street". You will note from his Chairman's Report that ROAR 17 was to be his swan song. How prophetic indeed.
There is so much to say about Al d' Eon. He was a good and loyal friend and will be sadly missed by his loving family and a host of friends near and far. The tributes to Al are many and perhaps the greatest was the magnificent assembly of the serving members of 427 Squadron in full dress uniform participating, or in attendance, at his funeral. For six decades Al had a special place in his heart for 427 Squadron and would have admired that sea of Air Force blue.
Rest in Peace old comrade.
Vern White -friend and associate
Squadron Leader John England RCAF Ret’d passed away peacefully 26 May
2024 at Qualicum Beach, British Columbia.
Born 1932 in Nottingham, England, John witnessed as a lad the German Blitzkrieg
while living in London, and the massive allied bomber formations taking off from
bases after he was evacuated to the countryside. He joined the Royal Air Force
post World War II and was sent to Canada for pilot training. While serving in the
RAF, he flew the world’s first jet fighters, Meteors and Vampires, including some
very high altitude experimental flights.
John completed his commitment to the RAF and then emigrated from England in
1953, joining the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he enjoyed an extraordinary
career. He trained on F-86 Sabres at RCAF Chatham, New Brunswick. There he
met his wife Arlene England, nee Doucette, who survives him. They were married
69 years.
John and Arlene were posted in 1954 to North Luffenham, England, on 439 Tiger
Fighter Squadron flying F-86 Sabres, in support of NATO. The squadron was
quickly moved to the continent to RCAF Station Marville, France. John and
Arlene lived in swampy temporary trailers while the base was being constructed.
Their first two children were born at the base hospital Marville, Paul and Jane.
The latter was born while John’s squadron was deployed to Decimomannu, Italy,
for gunnery practice.
The next posting was to Gimli, Manitoba in 1957, where John flew as an
instructor, training numerous Canadian and foreign military pilots. Two more
children, Timothy and Michael, were born in Gimli. Several frigid winters later,
John was posted to RCAF Station Zweibrücken, West Germany, flying the CF-
104 Starfighter aircraft in the nuclear strike role with 427 Lion Squadron from
1963-1967. Their fifth child, Christopher, was born in the base hospital
Zweibrücken while John’s squadron was attending a mandatory formal mess
dinner. John surreptitiously escaped and evaded, almost in time, pocketing a bottle
of high quality tax payer wine to celebrate the birth with Arlene.
A posting to RCAF Headquarters Ottawa in 1967 was next, where John
performed various roles, including aide to a host of Generals. The ground postings
were not to last. In 1971 John and Arlene were posted again to Europe to RCAF
Baden-Soellingen, West Germany, flying the CF-104 in the conventional weapons
role. John was the Deputy Commanding Officer of 421 Red Indian Squadron, and
in 1975 he became the Commanding Officer of Air Operations, 1 Canadian Air
Group, Baden.
John and Arlene returned to DND HQ Ottawa in 1976, and after a further ground
tour decided to retire to Vancouver, B.C., to be nearer their five children. John
flew various corporate business aircraft while in Vancouver, and also managed
some stints in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves. In 1990, John and Arlene
retired again and decamped to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, where John
excelled at growing world class Rhododendrons.
John was above all a devoted family man, and ensured his family experienced
everything Europe had to offer, with many ski visits to Austria and Switzerland,
beaches in the south of France, ruins and lidos in Italy and of course, the best
cuisine available.
He was also dedicated to his beloved RCAF, and bristled when Canada’s political
miscreants extinguished the identity of the RCAF with military unification. But he
was to be vindicated. He was overcome with joy when the RCAF’s historic name
was rightfully restored. It was a great moment in his life.
In addition to wife Arlene, he is survived by many descendants. His children, Paul
England (Lynn), Jane England Abbott (Marty Abbott, ex-CF-104 pilot), Timothy
England (Lindy), Michael England (Darlene), Christopher England (Kim), eleven grandchildren
and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Mark, or "Marcus" as he was affectionately known by those of us who knew and loved him, passed away in April, 2006 after a long and courageous battle with a serious infection for which there was no apparent cure. He was laid to rest in a cemetery near his retirement home in Chilliwack, British Columbia, with a great many of his Air Force comrades in attendance. He was sent on his way by a bagpiper , splendid in his regalia, and a missing man formation performed by the Fraser Valley Blues, a local airshow performance team led by George Miller, himself a former CF-104 pilot. After the ceremony, his comrades retired to the local Royal Canadian Legion, where a few glasses were raised in his memory.
Thanks to Doug Fenton
I flew with Mark on 427 , in fact , he was my checkout pilot when I joined the Sqn in '69 . I visited Mark many times when he was doing maint testing at Scottish and played golf with him many times at Old Prestwick along with Johnny Hutt , Ed McGillivray and some other 104 gangsters . Mark died unfortunately in 2006 and we saw him off in style with George Miller's airshow Navairs doing a show and flypast at the gravesite . Mark is buried in Chilliwack , BC in Vedder View Gardens Cemetery at 44675 Watson Rd . If Bill Bicket wishes , he can contact Mark's widow , Joyce at 6565 Greenmount St , Chilliwack , BC , V2R 1T3 or jfairley1@shaw.ca .
Thanks to Jack Orr
The first headteacher of Tewkesbury School died, aged 88, on December 31.
A private funeral and cremation was held earlier this month, but family members have also arranged a thanksgiving service in Tewkesbury Abbey, at 11.30am on February 28 and a reception afterwards at The Bell Hotel.
Some of those who knew Mr Faull have spoken about their fond memories of him. He was an officer in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, before becoming a teacher.
Staff at Tewkesbury School, where he was the first headteacher when it opened in 1972, remember him well. Current headteacher Gary Watson said: "The whole school community was saddened to hear of the death of Mr Faull. He touched the lives of so many young adults during his years as the headteacher.
Chairman of the civic society, Alan Purkiss, said Mr Faull had been a member of the organisation for many years and was still president when he died.
Mr Purkiss said he was saddened by the death of his colleague, who he said had been hit hard by the loss of his wife Joy in 2008.
Condensed from the Glouscestershire Echo in Tewkesbury, UK
Alex was born in Saskatchewan near Weyburn. He was conscripted at age 21 and trained as a pilot. He was posted to Leeming, Yorkshire eventually and flew the Wellington and Halifax with 427 Squadron. He had completed 17 ops before he was shot down on June 12/13, 1943. The plane crashed on the island of Texel, Holland. He was taken prisoner and was a POW until being repatriated through Sweden in January 1945. He had been badly injured and he attributed his survival to the heroic efforts of fellow prisioners. Returned to Canada he underwent many surgeries before rehabilitation. He met his wife Helen in Weyburn and they married in Toronto in 1948
See also Weyburn Boys
An Email note from his daughter
Recently a gentleman by the name of Rob van Ginkel made contact with my family. He lives some 500 yards from the site where the Halifax that my father piloted crashed. It so happens that he recently published a book about the commemoration of WWII in the Netherlands and that the local Texel newspaper featured a story about it. See Wartime Crash. This initiated a discussion between a couple of neighbours, including himself, who then decided to commemorate the crash and the four crewmembers who died on the 13th of June 1943. I have attached some photos that he said were from the Texel Air and War Museum's collection, along with the article translated in English. The gentleman in the red jacket in one of the photos was 13 years old when he saw the scene of the crash the morning after.
Patty Howard, daughter
on behalf of Alex Fellner
Thanks also to Bill Hind and Ted Hessel for their contributions.
Sam was a very private person and even his illness and death came as a shock and surprise to many of his friends. Sam had a long and distinguished career in the RCAF and CAF. He completed tours on the F-86 as well as the CF-104. During his military career he was also Commanding Officer of 439 Squadron as well as 417 Squadron at Cold Lake.
Mike was a former Lion and technician who started out with 427 squadron working on jets. He was a very quiet and private man and was extremly proud of his affiliation with the Squadron.
These words taken from an email by a friend Camil (Ted) Poirie, Life Cycle Materials Specialist(LCMS)
Gary Louis was born and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta till August 1950. He attended grades One to Nine in Medicine Hat. The family lived in a log cabin while his father was a schoolteacher. His father was subsequently killed in action while serving in the RCN 1944, while on the HMCS Valleyfield. His mother remarried in 1950 to an RCAF Flight Engineer, (Barry Anderson), who was flying Cansos with 413 Sqn at Rockcliffe. They lived in Ottawa from Aug to Dec 1950.
The family moved to Stn Chatham, N.B. home of the fighter Operational Training Unit, (OTU). He went to Chatham High School and while there, Gary joined the track team, hockey team, football team and was a classmate of Brian Mulroney.
As a teenager he would sit at the end of the runway watching Vampires, Mustangs, T-33s and F-86 Sabres come and go.
As a 16-year-old Army reservist, Gary managed to get a flight in a T-Bird, organized by his father. That was all it took for Gary to spend the rest of his life in aviation.
In 1954, he went to Military College (CMR), even played hockey for them. Only a year later he enrolled in the RCAF (Oct 54, in Centralia Ontario).
He spent a year in Winnipeg training as a navigator, receiving his Navigator Wings in 1956. Then once graduated from training (CF 100) was posted to RCAF Stn Cold Lake as a “Back Seater”, for Pilot Don Carney.
From 1957 -1960, Gary was a Nav AI on CF-100s at 413 at Bagotville. Three years later he went back to Cold Lake as an instructor, from 1960 -1962.
From 1962 -1965, P/O Flath served in Chatham with 416 Sqn ops on CF-101s.
He was promoted to F/L during this period, but just in time to find himself on the famous “500” downsizing list of short service officers. An Army Recruiting Center offered him a possibility for pilot training in the future. So, in 1964 he transferred to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and completed ‘brown’ training with Pete Armstrong, Peter Davis, Sam Allingham, George Zvanitajs and Alex Home at the RCASC School in Camp Borden.
After a year’s ‘on job training’ with 2 Tpt Coy and demonstrating his prowess as a hockey player, Lt. Flath was selected for pilot training at RCAF Stn Centralia in Apr 66. His course would be the last given to Army pilot candidates at Centralia. On his first flight, he flew through hydro power lines.
After successfully mastering the Chipmunk, he proceeded to Rivers, Manitoba in Sep 1966 and trained on the L-19s on LAPC 44. He and fellow course mates received their Army Pilot Wings in Dec 66. The spring of 67 was devoted to learning the intricacies of rotary wing flight at the Basic Helicopter Training Unit (BHTU) also at the Canadian Joint Air Training Center, Rivers, Man.
June 1967 -1972, he was posted to 1 Transport Helicopters Platoon in St. Hubert, Quebec. In 1968 1 TPT Helicopter Platoon became 450 Squadron. It was then moved to Uplands Ontario in 1970. During these five years he would fly over 2000 hours on the CH 113A with 1THP/450 Sqn at St. Hubert, Quebec and Uplands, Ontario.
In 1972 and for the next 5 years Capt. Flath instructed on the CH 136 at 3 CFFTS Portage la Prairie. He would eventually lead the “Dragon Fly Formation Demo Team.” During the 5 years at Portage Gary flew during his annual leave for several civilian helicopter operators from Quebec to BC. In Mar 76 he graduated from the Okanagan Helicopters Mountain Flying Course. His highlights at CFB Portage was dinner with Douglas Bader, Adolf Galland, Jimmy Doolittle, Johnny Johnson plus other WW2 fighter pilots. He was also Honorary PMC of the Junior Ranks Club.
Capt. Flath left Portage with over 2000 hours on the CH 136.
1977 -1982 Gary would spend the next 5 years in CFB Comox with 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron and was involved in many search and rescue missions. In July 1981 he went to Ottawa to receive the Star of Courage for the perilous rescue mission on Sept 13, 1980, in Washington State, where he rescued surviving crew members of a Navy Helicopter that itself crashed the night before. (The citation is enclosed)
On October 4th of the same year, he picked up 48 passengers out of lifeboats in a stormy sea of 30-foot swells and gale force winds when the ocean liner Prinsendam caught fire in the Gulf of Alaska.
Captain Gary Flath did something that day that is still talked about today. Captain Flath was getting low on fuel and talked to the Flight Engineer on board to calculate the fuel to the second and time to return to land. The reason was they were getting down to the last couple of crew in the lifeboat and Gary knew if he left - when he returned the crew would not be in the lifeboat due to sea state. Gary made that very last hoist and returned to Yakutat, Alaska.
Here is how the Chief of Defense Staff Unit Commendation for outstanding devotion to duty read:
"On 4 October 1980, 442 Squadron participated in an operation that gained it the international attention it still enjoys today. When the liner Prinsendam caught fire in the Gulf of Alaska, the 442 Squadron's Labradors and Buffalo were quick to react. The second Labrador on scene was commanded by Captain Gary Flath. Under Gary's guidance, the crew of "Rescue 303" hoisted 16 passengers from a lifeboat and transported them to the oil tanker MV Williamsburg. The Labrador crew repeated the operation three times before being forced to return to Yakutat, Alaska, for fuel. When they landed, their fuel gauges read empty; at the end of the runway their engine flamed out. The squadron was awarded the Chief of Defense Staff Unit Commendation for outstanding devotion to duty.”
He flew his last official trip in the Regular Forces on 24 Dec 1981 in a dual CF-101 on a supersonic combat profile mission. He liked to say that he “left with a bang.” In 1982 Gary retired from the Canadian Armed Forces leaving as a lifetime member of the Para Rescue Association.
In Mar 82 he was hired on as Chief Pilot with Shirley Air in Edmonton. The economic crash of 81-82 caused the company to fail after Gary had only worked for them for a few months. But he rebounded quickly and flew from Jun 82 to 1 Apr 94 for the Gov’t of Alberta, averaging 650 hours per year.
During this period, he returned to the Forces as a ‘Class C’ reservist and flew on two deployments. The first was in 1988 with 408 Sqn in the Sanai, Egypt for 6 months from Apr to Sep on the CH-135s. His second tour was in 1990 with 89 RWAH Tegucigalpa, Honduras to shut down “the Contras” in Nicaragua, flying the CH 136s and CH 135s. Here he remained as a Reserve Pilot with 408 Sqn until his 56th birthday in Jul 91.
During 1994 to 2001, after the Gov’t of Alberta sold their helicopter fleet, he moved to Northern Mountain Helicopters in Prince George, employed as their mountain flying instructor and training officer. Flying B-206 Helicopter in Smithers, BC, A-Star Helicopter - Rap-Attack for Alberta government and B - 212 Rap -Attack for B.C. government
During five winters Gary was fighting fires in Chile, South America, including delivering an A-Star machine from Prince George to Conception, Chile. The trip took 79 hours and crossed the Andes Mountains at 13000 ft. He also flew Arctic flying contracts. Then spent 2 years in the Sudan in Africa flying in the oil patch. While there was Involved in a Medevac after a rebel attack in which 28 people were wounded. Gary also was Involved in a very dark night rescue of a Shell Oil pilot who was shot and seriously wounded. The pilot survived.
In May 2004 Gary worked for Campbell Helicopters out of Abbotsford, BC. - Rap-Attack for both Alberta and Manitoba governments.
2004 -2008 was a Training Pilot and Mountain Flying Instructor for Quantum Helicopters in Terrace B.C.
Incidentals: survived two crashes - the first in the fall of 1993 while flying in northern Albert for the Alberta Government; and the second in 1995 while flying for Northern Mountain Helicopters in Smithers. No injuries (My pride) I walked away both times and no one was seriously injured. In 1996 while flying in Chile, cut a hydro power line with one of the blades.
Gary had flown in the Canadian Forces in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 1990s, logging over 25000 hours of flying during his 53 years of flying, retiring at 73 in 2008. The quote his own words “As I look back, I just want to say it has been a great privilege and honor to have served and been associated with all members of the Canadian Military and especially those of us who wore the Army Pilot Wings.”
Captain Gary Louis Flath SC CD retired to Courtenay on Vancouver Island and was active with the RCAF Association, Canadian Legion, Lions Club and Evergreen Seniors until passing away 17 July 2022.
Captain Gary Louis Flath, Courtenay, British Columbia
Decorations for Bravery, Star of Courage
Awarded on: July 3, 1981
Invested on: September 18, 1981
Capt. Flath of the Canadian Armed Forces was the Aircraft Commander of a helicopter which, on September 13, 1980, rescued, in most perilous circumstances, the two survivors of the crew of a crashed U.S. Navy helicopter at Whatcom Peak in Washington State. The wreckage and injured men were located on a rock wall at 2200 metre level of the mountain. Forty-knot shifting, gusting winds were blowing around the top, creating down drafts; the cold temperature required engine anti-ice which limited power; constantly alternating cloud conditions and deteriorating weather made the task of deploying rescue technicians extremely hazardous. Capt. Flath, in an incredible test of nerves, courage and will power, and with outstanding professional skill, was able to position his helicopter on the edge of the glacier, hovered in and out of clouds for approximately thirty minutes, dangerously close to the mountain rock face, while his crew recovered the injured personnel. The weather closed immediately after. His gallantry saved the lives of the men who had crashed two days prior, were seriously injured and would not have survived another night on the mountain.
Willie was born at the Wadhams Cannery in Rivers Inlet, BC, to Tom and Beatrice (nee MacDonald), who moved the
growing family back to Victoria during the Depression. The fourth of eight children, Willie delivered
The Colonist and worked on a fish packing boat while attending Esquimalt High School. After graduation, he became
a millwright at a coastal salmon cannery, then worked in Kitimat as a diesel mechanic at the Kemano dam project.
On a lark, he enlisted in the post-war RCAF and was selected for pilot training, leading to a much storied career
"driving" CF86 Sabres and CF104 Starfighters (2500 hours) at various bases in
Western Canada and West Germany
(Zweibucken, Baden). His final service was Chief Maintenance Test
pilot (call sign "Tester13") for #1CAG at CFB
Baden, Germany. Never one to rest on laurels, Willie's post-military years were varied: commercial Learjet and Twin
Otter pilot, BC Coroner crash investigator, and survival school operator when he and his wife Carol settled in the
Kettle River Valley.
His "retirement" was filled with woodworking, hunting with good friend Kelly Harpur, homesteading and the sound of
his accordion, which he continued to play until the very end. In his wake, Willie leaves his widow, Carol, his
brother Patrick & wife Grethe (nee Hansen), children Willy, Andrea, David (dec.), Patrick and George, grandchildren
Marie, Jakob, Erik, Nikkie, Alexis, Jason, Lauren, Caroline, Laura and Jonathan and five great-grandchildren. Thanks
to the care team at Broadmead Veterans for their support in these past years.
"We'll not see his like again".
Ed. Note: I arrived in Gimli, Manitoba for my last three months of training (I thought) and if suceessful would receive my "wings". I was anticpating meeting my Flight Istructor and already knew what I wanted, a Sabre posting, but was also aware there were only a few slots per course available to contiinue at the F-86 OTU. After the inevitable orientation and ground school introduction to the T-33 we finally got to go to the flight line. Captain Willie Floyd was just starting his instructional tour after an F-86 tour with 413 Squadron. He mentioned on one of our first trips "I only train Sabre pilots". He may have thought of modifying that comment in the following months but he persevered. He also introduced me to a number of practices that I don't believe were in the syllabus but that assisted me greatly in the years to come as he molded an eighteen year old into a "fighter pilot". My grateful thanks Willie.
.L/Col Foster was Commanding Officer 427 from June, 1983 to July, 1985.
Ken Fowler was an aviation enthusiast in all respects. Born in Vancouver, BC and raised in Burnaby, after high school, Ken joined the military. Although he had received his Glider Pilots License in 1977, he joined the Canadian Forces as an Aviation Technician in 1978, and remustered to Flight Engineer(FE) in 1988. He subsequently served as an FE at 427 Sqn into the early 90s, and then 442 Search and Rescue (SAR) Squadron before taking his release after a full 20 years of service.
Upon his retirement from the military, Ken accepted a new job as Manager of the Rocky Mountain Airport in 1998. Over the next 22 years, under his leadership he significantly expanded the airport’s role and turned it into a thriving aviation hub that served his community in many ways. Besides being home to an active forestry base and a world class aerobatic training facility, the Airport became the host of the very successful Rocky Mountain House Airshow. The Airshow often drew spectators twice the population of the nearby town and became a rallying point for community spirit.
In addition, 16 years ago he began the Rocket Aerobatics Team and subsequently was in high demand at Airshows across North America. He was an active member in the International Council for Airshows and an aerobatics evaluator(ACE).
For years, Ken was the pilot who would streak through the Christmas Eve skies over Rocky Mountain House skies. With lights and fireworks trailing behind his beloved Harmon Rocket, children below marveled at Santa's sleigh delivering the joy of the season. It is no surprise that Santa chose Ken as his co-pilot.
In 1983, Ken married the love of his life, Wendy Lyons on March 5, 1983. Together, they raised three boys. As a father Ken was always there teaching them the necessities of life. How to find a swimming hole, build things out of whatever you have and generally just enjoy life to its fullest and no matter what, ‘Don’t tell Mom!’ His boys shared his passion for flight either by helping build airplanes or taking up the airshow circuit. His loving wife Wendy of 37 years managed his airshow career and family. Wendy and Ken shared many adventures and truly loved their life in Rocky Mountain House.
Ken Fowler passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2020 as the result of an aircraft accident.
F/O Foxton's crash was among the first at the new 3 (F) Wing, Zweiübrucken
Jack's career from 1951 to 1987 was in the Canadian Forces where he attained the rank of Colonel (Group Captain) and was awarded the Order of Military Merit and the Meritorious Service Cross. Having joined the RCAF in February 1951 he attended the Officer Candidate School at RCAF Crumlin, London Ontario before being assigned to #1 Flying Training School at Centralia, Ontario. After earning his wings he was posted to RCAF Station MacDonald, Manitoba where he completed Advanced Flying School and Pilot Gunnery School before being posted to #1 (Fighter) Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RCAF Chatham, New Brunswick. At Chatham he was on the first course to fly the F86 Sabre (previous courses had flown the Dehaviland Vampire) and, following graduation, was posted to 427 (Fighter) Squadron at RCAF St. Hubert, Quebec. In March 1953, the pilots of 427 Squadron joined with 413 and 434 Squadrons on Operation Leapfrog 3 to fly their Sabres across the North Atlantic to join 3 (Fighter) Wing at Zweibrucken, Germany.
As deputy Flight Commander, he flew with the Squadron but also instructed at the Instrument Rating Flight and in 1954 was a member of the "Fireballs" Air Division aerobatic team performing air shows in Germany, France, Holland and Belgium. Returning to Canada in April 1955, Frazer became a Fighter Weapons Instructor and later an Advanced Flying Instructor again at RCAF MacDonald, Manitoba.
In 1956, he married the former Millicent June Black.
In 1958 he completed the Fighter Controller course at Tyndal Air force Base, Florida and served at Radar Stations, Mont Apica, Quebec and Edgar, Ontario before being selected to join the RCAF Golden Hawks aerobatic team at RCAF Chatham in 1961.
Flying with the Golden Hawks in 1961 and 1962, he flew in air shows across Canada and the United States before being selected to fly the CF104 Starfighter. After completing the Starfighter course at Cold Lake, Alberta, he was posted to RCAF Marville, France where he formed and commanded 439 Reconnaissance Squadron on the CF104 at RCAF #1 Wing Marville, France from 1964 to 1967. #1 Reconnaissance Wing Marville achieved a first when they earned a #1 rating on their first NATO Tactical Evaluation, a performance nover achieved before or repeated since.
When Charles DeGaulle ordered NATO out of France and #1 Wing was to take over Frwnch Air Force Station Lahr, Germany, he was named Commander of the Advance Party at Lahr and later returned to Marville as Commander of the Rear Party, closing the Station there. Having completed the closure of Marville, he then returned to his duties as Deputy Operations Officer at RCAF Lahr which, despite the move again earned a #1 rating on the subsequent NATO Tactical Evaluation.
In 1968 then Major Frazer moved to Canadian Forces Headquarters in Ottawa as Secretary to the Director General Force Objectives. The following year he was posted to Toronto to attend the RCAF Staff College. In 1970, he was posted to NATO Headquarters Allied Forces Northern Europe (HQ AFNORTH) at Kolsas, Norway as the Staff Officer Reconnaissance. in 1973 he returned to CFB Chilliwack, B.C. as a Company Commander in the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School and in 1974 was promoted Lieutenant Colonel to command the school.
In 1976, he was assigned as Base Operations Officer at CFB Cold Lake Alberta where he oversaw flying operations there and was responsible for instituting the first Operation Maple Flag the multi-national exercise simulating an air war environment, which continues today. Posted to 25 NORAD Region Headquarters at Mchord Air Force Base, Tacoma Washington in 1979, Frazer assumed his duties as Assistant Deputy for Operations. A year later he was promoted Colonel and assigned as Base Commander and Deputy Commander #1 Canadian Air Group at CFB Baden Soellingen, Germany. In 1983 Jack was posted to Harare, Zimbabwe where, as Military Advisor/Attache, he was accredited to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Botswana.
In 1985 while on a routine visit to Uganda a Coup d'etat occurred deposing Milton Obote as President and creating chaos with extensive killing and looting. After remaining in his hotel for four days, he effected liaison with the British High Commission in Kampala and assisted in organizing the evacuation of the citizens of ten western nations from Uganda to Kenya. For his actions in this organization dealing with a number of potentially dangerous situations during the evacuation, Colonel Frazer was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross.
In 1986 Frazer and his wife returned to Canada where he built his home and retired on Salt Spring Island BC. Joining the Reform Party of Canada in 1988, Frazer was elected Saanich-Gulf Islands Reform Party of Canada Candidate for Parliament in 1993 and was elected Member Of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands in the October election that year. He served as Defence and Veterans Affairs Critic and Deputy Whip and sat on seven Parliamentary Committees during the 35th Parliament. His Private Members Bill establishing the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM) was passed into law on 5 April 1997. After serving in the 35th Canadian Parliament, Frazer did not seek a second term in Parliament.
After the 1997 election when he left politics, Frazer was appointed to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, operated by the federal government's Veterans Affairs Canada.
Thanks to Wikipedia for the above.
Photos & Videos by Dick Dunn of the Celebration of Life for Jack Frazer, January 24, 2013
An obit from Amy Smart of the Times Colonist
Bob hailed from Saskatchewan. He instructed at a Service Flying School in Canada before being posted overseas with 427 Squadron - Vern White
Gerry was with 427 on CF-104s. He then had a tour as an SAR helicopter pilot. After his CAF retirement, he joined Transport Canada as a Flight Safety Inspector.
Service as a Wireless Air Gunner with 425 (Alouette) Squadron, post-war he served with 427 Squadron.
GOOD, Samuel (Veteran RCAF 427 Squadron - WWII) - Passed away peacefully at the age of 90+, February 20, 2012. A proud veteran, Bomb Aimer in the RCAF, Sam worked as a printer right up to his final illness. An intelligent political thinker and an educated baseball fan, Sam (S.B.) will be missed by many. Funeral service were held on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:00. a.m. at Steeles memorial Chapel, 350 Steeles Avenue West, Thornhill. Interment followed at Mount Sinai Cemetery, Jewish War Veterans section. After the service friends and family were invited to 170 Marguerette St., Toronto. Shiva was observed Tuesday(21st) and Wednesday(22nd) at 170 Marguerette St., Toronto. Memorial donations may be made to Baycrest Foundation (416-785-2875) (www.baycrest.org/donations).
Thanks to Weldon Moffatt
The following is the obituary for Keith, my father, who flew with the following aircrew in 427 Squadron from 1942-1945.
Keith Graham, RAIC (Fellow), well-known Nova Scotia Architect, passed peacefully March 2, 2018 in Camp Hill Veteran's Memorial Building, QEII. Born in Fox River,May 22, 1922 he was the eldest son of the late Ross and Martha (Hatfield). Keith was proud of his shipbuilding ancestry. His father Ross was "Head Planker" at Wagstaff & Hatfield Shipyard in Port Greville. The influence of growing up surrounded by talented Parrsboro Shore craftsmen shaped his lifelong love for the profession of Architecture.
Finishing his secondary education at Fox River School in 1940, Keith pursued opportunities to join the RCAF. After traveling overseas twice, he was accepted to flight school training and in 1942 joined the ranks of Bomber Command 6 Group, 427 Squadron (Lion) as Pilot Officer (Wireless Operator/Navigator). He and his flight crew flew 27 sorties over France and Germany in Wellingtons, and 24 more in the Lancaster.
After the war Keith graduated from the School of Architecture at the University of Manitoba in 1950 and began his career in Montreal. By the late 1950's Keith had moved back to Nova Scotia, where he followed his singular conviction for creative design that led to a legacy of institutions and residences built under his leadership throughout Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Most notably - The Halifax North End Library, Halifax Police Department, Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax Explosion Memorial, and the Canadian Coast Guard College. Keith's remarkable career spanned over five decades, with never a thought to an end. He was also innovative in his personal life, embracing the virtues of long-distance running, yoga, and a rigorous holistic health regime, long before they were in vogue. Noted for his command of the English language, he was a great orator, with a sharp memory and wit. He would tell stories, recite poetry, and share his deeply held beliefs with influence and passion. Keith was predeceased by his daughter, Laura; brothers, Harold, George, Carl and Donald; sisters, Ethel, Jessie and Francis [sic]; and survived by his loving wife, Norma (Cassidy), Halifax; son, David (Carolyn), Calgary; son, Jonathan (Hilary), Victoria; daughter, Maria (John), Halifax; son-in-law, Stewart, Halifax; grandchildren, James, Ross, Ian, Hugh, Rosemary, Sophie, Martha, and Nicholas; sister, Barbara Bishop, Alberta; and Norma's children, Robert, Lee, and Carol. A celebration of Keith's life was held in June 2018 in Parrsboro, N.S.
Regards,
Jonathan Graham
Dodd completed two tours, over seventy operations as a Wireless Air Gunner (WAG). His first tour was in Egypt and the second in the European theatre. His wife indicates that he flew in Wellingtons and Halifaxs with the Hali being his favourite. He is buried at the Field of Honour, Last Post in Pointe Claire, Quebec.
Dad passed away aged 88 on October 29, 2009 after a brief illness. He served as a mechanic with the 427 Lion Squadron in Leeming, Yorkshire working on Halifax and Lancaster bombers.
After the war, Dad worked as a saw-filer in British Columbia until he retired. He married Winnifred Cutler and has three daughters and six grand-children.
It is interesting that his aviation mechanic knowledge always stayed with him. Our family story goes that on vacation in Australia one time, about to board an airplane to fly back to Canada, Dad said to Mom,
There is something wrong with that engine and this airplane should not fly.
He did not share his concern with the flight staff however so he and Mom enjoyed an unscheduled stopover in Fiji where the engine was indeed repaired.
The picture above is our favourite photo of Dad standing on a Halifax Mark 3 Bomber, March 1944.
Thanks to Sharon Gravelle for sharing this information.
Bill was an avid supporter of the SPAADS group. He served on 427 Squadron in the early fifties, went on to become a member of the Golden Hawks aerobatic team and also served with 409 Voodoo Squadron before he retired.
Hank was born in Nijverdal, Holland but came to Canada as a young adult. He joined the RCAF in 1957, went through all the pipeline training and ended up being selected to fly the F86 Sabre with 427 Fighter Squadron at 3 (F) Wing based in Zweibrücken, Germany. He remained in Germany until 1960 and was then posted back to Canada. Hank's RCAF career became a casuality of the Canadian Forces being "consolidated" in 1964 but he was able to join Air Canada in 1965.
During his 30 year Air Canada career, he flew numerous aircraft and also completed a ten-year secondment with Air Jamaica in Kingston. Although he faced mandatory retirement as a pilot in 1995, Hank continued to work with Air Canada Flight Operations as a contract simulator instructor training pilots on aircraft type conversion for several years. He was well respected by his students for his knowledge, wealth of experience, training ability and magnetic personality.
Perhaps, there was also a touch of the younger Hank's "fighter pilot" zeal carried forward from 427 Squadron days that got stirred into the mix. One of his students once mentioned that she was impressed that an A320 simulator could do a loop.
A true "Lion" who will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.
Thanks to Greg Clayton for the comfort and support he provided Hank during his last days,and Greg, Sask Wilford and Bob Hyndman for assistance with this information
Passed away peacefully at age 92. He completed 29 sorties of which 23 were on major targets for a total of 189 hours and thirty minutes.
Norm was a Pilot with 427 Squadron from 1956 to 1959 during the Cold War. He served at 3 (F) Wing Zweibrücken. In an aircraft he was a serious competent leader; away from the aircraft he was cheerful, voluble and irrepressibly optimistic. He took the "sprogs" under his wing and introduced them not only to the social part of Squadron life in Germany but also used his considerable teaching and leadership skills in the air. Norm married Myrna in 1959 and although his solo mentoring of the "sprogs"was curtailed, Myrna wholeheartedly supported him and they both became the host and hostess during the remainder of Norm´s tour on 427. Fifty years later memories of Norm still vividly live on with his many Squadron comrades.
Bernie was born in Jonquiere, Quebec. He joined the RCAF in 1951.He served in 427 Squadron on Sabers in the early fiftie. After many other postings around the world, Bernie retired from the Air Force in 1976 and moved the family to Gananoque where he transitioned to a new career at the Royal Military College in Kingston. He is fondly remembered by his grandchildren as their fighter pilot grandpa. His passing will leave an empty place at the Friday Legion lunches with the "Kingston Boys".
Four 427 Squadron aircraft were shot down on the night of 22/23 June, 1943 during an operation to bomb Mulheim. F/Sgt J. D. Hamilton was pilot, the other crew members were Navigator - WOII J.J.Reansbury, Observor - Sgt G.D.Sharp, Reargunner - F/Sgt P.J.A.Dennis and Mid-uppergunner - F/Sgt G.L.Tyrone, Observor - Sgt N.G.Whiting, and Flight Engineer - Sgt J.A.Spencer. Sgt.s Sharp and Whiting were RAF the remainder of the crew was RCAF. Sgt. James A. Spencer was the only survivor and ended the war as a POW.
Our thanks to Adrian van Zantvoort, a keen historian who organized a memorial to this crew after a fragment of the aircraft was unearthed. The memorial is to be unveiled in Kaathoven, Netherlands on June 22, 2013.
Sergeant Hamilton was from Kenaston, Saskatchewan and there is an excellent web site which memorializes the Saskatchewan military personnel who served and died through all Canada's wars. There is also a page which details the 427 Squadron casualties from Saskatchewan, all RCAF and WW II. It is necessary to scroll down to UNIT and enter 427 to access the page. The webmaster is Bill
Barry and the website is http://www.svwm.ca
Born in Toronto, Major-General Hanna was raised in Ottawa, receiving his early education at the Ottawa Model School and at Trinity College School, Port Hope. While a student at Ottawa's Glebe Collegiate Institute, he began his Military career in the Royal Canadian Artillery [Militia] and subsequently enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force, completing training as a Flight Engineer in the spring of 1945. After the war, he attended the University of Toronto and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Applied Science in Aeronautical Engineering. During summer vacations, he continued flying training in the Royal Canadian Air Force [reserve] receiving his pilot's wings in 1949.
Major General Hanna was appointed to the Royal Canadian Air Force [regular] in 1950 and served with fighter squadrons in Canada and the United States (416 Sqn 50-51, 427 Sqn 52-53, 444 Sqn 53). He subsequently held the position of instructor in the All-Weather Operational training unit at North Bay, Ontario, and Cold Lake, Alberta. He attended the Empire Test Pilots School at Farnborough in 1956, traveling extensively in the far east, endured many inoculations, and enjoyed a Singapore sling at Raffles Long Bar. His next five years, 1957 to 62, was spent with the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment at Malton and Ottawa prior to joining the staff of the Operational Requirements subdivision at Air Force Headquarters.
After completing the Royal Canadian Air Force staff college course in 1964, Major General Hanna spent a year in the middle east as Air Staff Officer to the Commander of the United Nations Emergency force in Gaza and walked the streets of Jerusalem. He joined the Directing staff of the staff college in Toronto in 1965 and was named Commander of the Canadian Forces base in Rivers, Manitoba in 1967.
In 1970, Major General Hanna and his family moved to Quebec City to participate in the Federal Biculturalism Development program at Laval University. One year later, he was posted to National Defense Headquarters in Ottawa as Deputy Director General Bilingual and Biculturalism. In 1974 he attended the Royal College of Defense Studies in London, UK. Major General Hanna was appointed Canadian Defense Attache in Paris in 1975, and in August 1977 assumed command of the Air Defense Group and the 22nd NORAD region. Jim served on the board of the Canadian Red Cross as Vice President and the Board of Commissionaires and was the eldest member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute [RCMI] in Toronto.
The son of Murial Hanna [nee Boyce d.1991] and the late Major F.J.' Eric 'Hanna LLB of Ottawa [d. 1970] Jim married Madelaine Joan [nee Ritchie] in 1954 who was a steadfast partner until her death in April 1981 in Lahr Germany. They are survived by their son Jamie Edward, R.M.C. and P.Eng, Queens, of Oakville, ON. and daughter Brenda Christine Hanna, Calgary Alberta,(son Roland)who will always remember their journeys to many parts of the world as a result of being part of a military family. Jim remarried in 1992 to June Purvis who tragically died in 2003. They had pursued many activities, traveling extensively, meeting old friends, and enjoying the young children of stepdaughter Janine Purvis and Cameron Trollope of Richmond Hill and well-remembered by daughters Jenna and Michelle Trollope. Jim then married Kathleen MacIver in December 2006 in Ottawa.
He was the oldest member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute of Toronto. In 1980 in Lahr, Germany, Jim had breakfast with Pierre Elliot Trudeau who was deeply interested in discussing the Battle of Hochstadt/Blenheim, Gettysburg, Trafalgar, and the American Civil war. Military history was Jim's favorite subject and Jim's flair for languages, especially French, impressed the Prime Minister. However Major Hanna's most vivid memory was his tour in Gaza and being stranded in the desert at dusk with a flat tire holding a rifle while his mechanic changed the tire, or the flight into the 15th century Basilica St. Catherines monastery in the South Sinai desert to deliver barrels of wine for sacraments to the Monks and climbing 3,000 steps up Mount of Moses [Glebel Musa] so venerated where God spoke to Moses and received the Ten Commandments.
Jim was a collector of antiques, military memorabilia, flags and Heraldry, gifted with a marvelous memory, passionate about erudite mysteries of the Spirit of God, and spiritual dimension of his life, and would have been at home in the company of John Knox and the Cambridge and Oxford Independent thinkers of the 1870s.
Jim was a Gemini and a hero in his own right through his 41 years in the Military, a fighter pilot, a test pilot for the Canadian Government, and slated to test the Avro Arrow before it was decommissioned. After retirement, Jim was in Sales for five years with de Havilland Aircraft Company and was a member and patron of Christ Church Cathedral and the Prayer Book Society. As a proud Canadian, he supported many Canadian foundations such as the Perley Rideau Care Home for Veterans, the Canadian Red Cross, the War museum, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Ottawa Hospital, TVO, CBC, and deserving such as Foot and Mouth painters.
Thanks to Walt Pirie and Bill Nichols for the notification.
Peter Harrison was born in Kelowna, BC on July 8, 1925 and attended the University School in Victoria. In August 1943, he enrolled in the RCAF and trained during the war at various loctions across the prairie provinces as a airman and air gunnery officer. He began, but did not complete, pilot training on Cornell aircraft. Subsequently, he earned the Air Gunner's Badge and was commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer. In 1945 he was released from active service and transferred to the Reserves, serving until July 24, 1946 as an officer in the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps.
For the next five years on civvy street, he used his time well. On December 18, 1946 he married Lorna Hodge in Vanouver, BC and they started a family which eveantuallt became six children. In May 1951, Peter enrolled in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (Service Number ZK9706. Posted initially to the RCA SC School in Camp Borden, Ontario, he qualified as a parachutist and on October 1951 became the first OC of 1 Airborne Platoon.
In 1953, Peter was posted to the Canadian Joint Air Training Centre at Rivers, Manitoba - and so began his Army aviation experience. Ab initio
flying training was conducted at the Brandon Flying Club (Cessna 140) followed by Advanced Flight Training course #15 at Rivers (Cessna L-
19A) and in 1956, Helicopter Conversion Course #16 (Sikorsky 5-51). These were the early years of Army aviation when storied names like
"Bumps" Dancey, Bert Lake, Randy Mattocks, Joe Oakley, Ron Hall, Dan Stovel, Lorne Rodenbush and Fred Wagner were spreading their wings!
It was back to Borden in 1956.
During the early US Vietnam war years a series of Canadian Amy aviators were posted to US Army flying training centres. In 1959, Peter with
family in tow, attended the US Army Primary Helicopter School course (Hiller 23-D) at Camp Wolters, Texas. Next, he transferred to Fort Rucker,
Alabama for the H-34 "Choctaw" helicopter (Sikorsky S-58) conversion course. Finally, in 1960, it was off to the 4th Aviation Company in Fort
Lewis, Washington where he flew the L-19/L-20 and H-13, H-19, H-21, HU-1A "Iroquois" helicopters. Upon his US departure, the Commanding
General, 4th Infantry Division, awarded him with a Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Performance of Duty.
In June 1966, Major Harrison was posted to St. Hubert, P.Q. as CO of 1 Transport Helicopter Platoon, RCA SC (later 450 Transport Helicopter
Squadron). The unit was equipped with Boeing Vertol CH-113A "Voyageur" helicopters. In Nov 1968, command of the squadron was passed to
Major Lorne Rodenbush. On January 1, 1971 LCol Harrison assumed command of 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at CFB Petawawa, Ontario.
The unit was equipped with new UH-1N "Huey" helicopters and was one of four such new tactical squadrons in Canada (CFB's Edmonton,Petawawa, Valcartier, and Gagetown).
After a short illness, LCol JP Harrison died of cancer on November 26, 1972 at the age of 47 while serving as 427 CO. As was his wish, his ashes were scattered by his son on the Mattawa Plain, adjacent to the 427 Squadron heliport.
More photos of LCol Harrison
With thanks to https//canadianarmyaviation.caand BrigGen(Ret)Joe Oakley
F/L Hayhurst joined 427 Squadron with Wing Commander Burnside, 0C 427 Squadron on 8 November 1942 at Croft. Apparently he had been part of Burnside's crew in a previous posting.
He was awarded the DFC as part of his actions in W/C Burnside crew on 12 March 1943 — a raid on Essen.
Report on the action during the raid on Essen
On 24 March 1944 he was shot down on the Berlin raid, taken prisoner and sent to Stalag Luft 1.
In the early wartime photo of W/C Burnside's crew below he is mistakely identified as the Flight Engineer, in fact he was the Bombadier/Bomb Aimer and Nose Gunner.
Another mystery surrounding F/L Hayhurst is that although he was a 427 Squadron member and he is confirmed as a POW in Stalag Luft 1 there is no record of him being part of a 427 crew (or 429 Squadron which was also based at Leeming during that period) that was shot down on the night of 24/25 March 1944. His wife's diary, recently discovered, mentions that she thought he was in West Hartlepool that evening on a task for the CO. Mr. Tony Hayhurst began this investigation when he noticed his father was not included in the missing crew names for that evening.
A veteran of 427 Squadron, 92-96, Pettawawa and Haiti - Helicopter era.
A veteran of 427 Squadron, RCAF - WWII, 34 year Employee Bell Canada. Peacefully in his sleep at Brampton Meadows on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Doug Head in his 90th year. Dearly beloved husband of Aileen.
F/O Head was born at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia in 1915. He enlisted at Halifax, 3 November 1941 and trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 8 May 1942) and No.1 AOS (graduated 25 September 1942). He was commissioned in 1942. F/O Head's Distinguished Flying Cross award was effective 2 October 1944 as per London Gazette dated 13 October 1944 and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. The citation in AFRO reads "...completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty".
DHist file 181.009 D.1729 (PAC RG.24 Vol.20607) has the recommendation forwarded from the squadron approximately 20 July 1944 when he had flown 30 sorties (204 hours), 15 September 1943 to 17 June 1944.
It stated "This navigator has completed thirty operational sorties against the enemy of which twenty-one have been on major targets. His work generally has been of the highest calibre and his co-operation, coolness and devotion to duty has gained him the confidence of the squadron and inspired his crew."
Thanks to Jeanne Shepard, a grand-daughter of F/O Head for the information in this citation..
My grandfather died December 26th 1978 from a brain tumor (cancer). He married in 1940, prior to his war service to a Glace Bay native, Pearl Eulalia Head. She just passed away at the age of 98 in February of 2015. They had 9 children, 29 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren and 6 greatgreatgrandchildren
My grandfather held a government position at Unemployment Canada as it was called at the time, renamed Service Canada today. He was one of the founders for bringing the little league baseball to Glace Bay.
Don Hepburn was a good friend of Al d'Eon. I got to know Don at some of 427 Squadron do's post-war. Don Hepburn and my cousin Lorne White had just arrived in Bournemouth about the time I went missing in June 1943. (They got their wings together)Lorne decided to go up to Leeming to see if he could help with my kit and personal belongings and Don went along. They stayed a few days since there was nothing doing at Bournemouth. Don liked the atmosphere so much that later when he finished OTU he jumped at the opportunity when a Leeming posting was offered. Don completed a tour on 427.
Vern White
It is with great sadness we announce the recent passing of Patrick John Stuart Higgs in Victoria, BC. Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Pat graduated from Royal Roads Military College in the late 1940's with the first class of Air Cadets. Patrick touched the lives of many through his leadership and benevolence over the course of his military career. His progression as a RCAF fighter pilot took him and his family to many parts of the globe - most notably Germany in the 1960's. Retiring as a Wing Commander (Lieutenant-Colonel) in the 1970's, Pat's fondest memories of his military service were as Squadron Leader of 422 Squadron (F-86 Sabre) of 4 Fighter Wing, Baden Sollingen, Germany and Wing Commander of 427 Squadron (F-104 Starfighter), 3 Fighter Wing, Zweibrucken, Germany. Pat's public service to Canada continued with Transport Canada until the mid 1980's when he and Connie retired to Victoria, BC. Patrick's passions ranged from family, community (Kiwanis Club of Canada), golf, televised sports and engaging in discussions on national and international affairs. He will long be remembered and revered by his family and friends as a compassionate and reflective individual.
As you may be aware, other highlights of his career included:
Pat sent the article below for the March 2010 ROAR issue.
Thanks to Jack Milner for the following additional information
• RCN-RCAF Joint Services College
• The information below from The Log, HMCS Royal Rhodes, April 1949 - Page 77
PATRICK JOHN HIGGS
Educated: Central HIgh School, Calgary, Alberta.
Home: Calgary, AIberta.
"Have you ever seen the Calgary Stampede?" ... "Well, you ain't
lived."
This is Pat (short for Patrick) Higgs' favourite expression.
Bringing with him a flashy smile, Pat soon made ardent friends in his
Term. Usually you can find him listening to the latest Peggy Lee recording,
or engrossed in a game of bridge ... which he plays expertly.
Formerly, Pat was a Sergeant in the Air Cadets, because of which he was
awarded a combined scholarship to the College.
In sport, Pat has shown a keen interest, and has excelled at golf and
softball. Last year, he was the pitcher of the College representative team.
This year Pat was a member of the LOG Advertising Staff.
lf you ever wish to lose your weekly allowance, just ask Pat if he cares
to back up the Calgary Stampeders Hockey Club.
On graduating, Pat intends to go General List in the RCAF where
his likeable personality and his good humour will carry him far.
Alfred was born July 24, 1931 in Halifax and raised in Tufts Cove, Dartmouth, NS. After graduating from Dartmouth high school Alfred entered the military. From 1950-1984 he had a long and varied military and civil career, serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Canadian Navy, the Department of Transport and the Canadian Armed Forces. He served as a fighter pilot, carrier pilot, ship Watchkeeper, Airways Inspector, flying training Instructor and foreign liaison officer.
In the RCAF he flew F-86 Sabre Jets at 427 Squadron, Zweibrücken, Germany and instructed at RCAF Stn. MacDonald flying the T-33. He then left the RCAF and joined the RCN in 1959 and served with VX-10 Test and Evaluation Squadron, flying the CS2F Tracker, F2H3 Banshee and Bell Helicopter. He attended JOTLC from 1961 until 1962, then served as a Term Lieutenant at HMCS Cornwallis. In 1962-1963 he served as ships senior Watchkeeper onboard HMCS Haida and Cayuga. In 1964 he joined VS-880 at HMCS Shearwater flying CS2F Trackers ashore and as a Crew Commander on board the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure. He left the military in 1967 and went to the Department of Transport as an Airways Inspector flying the DC-3, King Air and Beech 310 aircraft. He returned to the Canadian Navy at CFB Shearwater in 1968 he joined VU-32 as a COD pilot onboard HMCS Bonaventure and later as a Tracker Flying Training Instructor and as a Senior Tracker Instructor with VT-406. He was promoted to Major in 1975 and served as Personnel Services Officer at CFB Shearwater. In 1976 he was appointed Canadian Forces Liaison Officer in Bermuda and served in that prestigious post until 1978. In 1980 he served in the full-time reserve until 1984 as a Photo Armament Officer at CFB Halifax and Deputy Base Operations Officer at CFB Shearwater.
Alfred was kind, wise and a true gentleman. He enjoyed a close relationship with his only child, Brian. A week would not go by, without the two spending time with each over lunch, round of golf or an impromptu visit. Alfred loved his family and enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and extended family. He was very socially active, in his retirement years he enjoyed travelling, golfing and participating in Bridge Clubs while a social member at Brightwood Golf Course.
Dale passed away peacefully on Monday, 10 June after a long battle with a succession of cancers. Born in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, after high school he worked as a telephone lineman. A cousin encouraged him to get off the high pole and fly high with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He excelled in his new-found avocation, and after posting to the F-86 Sabre Operational Training Unit at Chatham, N.B., in 1960 he joined 427 (F) Squadron at Zweibruken, West Germany. He quickly became a skilled fighter pilot and a valued member of the SMU (Single Men's Union).
The Squadron stood down as a fighter Squadron when the CF-104 was introduced to 3 (F) Wing in late 1962. Dale was then posted to 430 (F) Squadron at 2 Wing, Grostenquin, France. During a training flight to Norway, he met and later married Cecilie, a SAS Flight Attendant, who bore a son Ken, and twin daughters Ania and Tina. 430 (F) Squadron also stood down when they received CF-104s in 1963. He then returned to Canada, instructing on the T-33 at Gimli, Manitoba. As a team memberof the Gimli Smokers, he performed air demonstrations at Air Shows across Canada. Assigned as the base test pilot, he also flew the newly arrived CT-114 Tutor trainer.
Mindful of the infamous release of 500 pilots and navigators, he quit the RCAF and joined Air Canada mid-1965. A long and illustrious career ensued, flying the Viscount, DC-9, DC-8, L1011 Tristar, and B-747-400, while based in Vancouver or Toronto. After the divorce of Cecilie in 1979, in 1996 he married Marilyn Meadows, a retired Air Canada Flight Attendant.They dwelt in the spacious house that Dale had built on the banks of the Credit River at Churchville, and the nearby Meadowland Cemetery, where his son Ken is buried after his untimely demise from cancer in 2002. Before and after his retirement from Air Canada July 2000, they enjoyed frequent trips to their condo at Clearwater, Florida. As Dale would say, “What is it you do not like about Florida? Is it the fine weather, the cheap food, the cheap booze, the cheap golf?”
After successful radiation and chemo treatment for throat cancer, Dale & Marilyn moved to Vancouver Island and into the large house Dale had built. In 1989, Dale and his brother Brian had bought 80 acres of deforested scrub land. Ever the farmer’s son, Dale bought earth moving
equipment at auction, while Brian toiled for several years clearing brush, tree stumps, and sculpting the land. After donating some land traversing the Trent River for parkland, they subdivided the land into 31 lots, keeping the largest for themselves, and sold the remainder.
During this benign retirement, Dale enjoyed hunting in Northern BC, and fishing with his 30 ft. trawler. Dale was a stalwart attendee at SPAADS reunions (Sabre Pilots Association of Air Division Squadrons), and at Petawawa for the biennial 427 Squadron “Gathering of Lions,” including the 2017 unveiling of the “Monument to the Fallen” at Cobden. That same year, after touring Juno Beach and Dieppe, both sites that loom large in the Canadian psyche, he attended the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy, France.Cancer free for some years, he then developed a series of cancers, while Marilyn developed Parkinson’s disease, and died in 2022. Dale then sold the house and moved to a retirement home in Courtenay.
With his good humour, and friendly persona, Dale will be sorely missed by his family, neighbours, and many friends of the RCAF, and Air Canada. At Dale’s request, there will be neither ceremony, nor published obituary.
If you wish to view a retrospective of Dale’s life click on the links below, starting with Part 1.
If you wish to comment, please email to:
richmark@telus.net
I will then forward to the family - Brian, Ania & Tina
Dick Dunn. - 15 June 2024
Part 1
rlkey=e33l13h20xlsr5n0q6qmetysp&st=qek6h84z&dl=0
Part 2
rlkey=fcp59dk0ts6uzd32gjrnotsr4&st=07j0y20s&dl=0"
Allan was borne and raised in Milestone, Saskatchewan. He enlisted in the RCAF immediately
on graduation from high school and after training was stationed in Leeming, Yorkshire, England with 427 "Lion" Squadron.
He flew a full tour of duty (34 missions) in the Halifax and Lancaster bombers.
Part of F/O Horton's crew in March 1945. From left to right Allen Horton, Derek Brinkley, Nathan Isaacs, Johnny Tribe and John
Mullholland, the pilot.
Born April 19th, 1919 in Edinburgh, Scotland, died in Belleville, Ont. April 9th, 2012. Survived by his wife of over 71 years, Jane (Currier), and children.
Chester attended the Royal Military College in Kingston where he rose to become "top" cadet as Battalion Sgt. Major (BSM). He and his classmates graduated early in October 1939 in order to serve in World War II. He elected to follow in his father’s footsteps and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). He saw distinguished service overseas as a bomber pilot in 420 and 428 Squadrons and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his skill and valour and became Senior Operations Controller of 6 Group (RCAF) RAF Bomber Command as a Group Captain while still only 25 years old.
When the war ended he chose to stay in the RCAF with appointments in Ottawa, staff college in Toronto, and, in 1947 he became Commanding Officer (CO) of RCAF Clinton. Following further staff assignments in Ottawa, he became Base Commander and founding commander of No. 3 (Fighter) Wing in Zweibrücken, Germany. Returning to Canada in 1956, he had assignments in St. Hubert and Ottawa. In 1962, he was appointed Chief of Staff of Air Defence Command (ADC) in St. Hubert, with the rank of Air Commodore. For a short time, he served as Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of ADC before promotion to Air Vice Marshall in 1967 as AOC of Air Transport Command, Trenton. In 1972, following unification of the forces, he was appointed Lieutenant General and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.
Ches retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1974 after 41 years of illustrious service and shortly thereafter was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star for his wartime assistance to the Free French Forces. In civilian life, he served as National Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of Canada, president of the Quinte Arts Council and a founding influence in the launching of, initially, the RCAF Memorial Museum. At CFB Trenton, he held the appointment of honorary colonel from 1998 until 2003. He served as chair of the Bomber Harris Trust, established to defend the outstanding heroism and service to country of Canadian members of RAF Bomber Command. Much travelled, a life-time gardener and an avid reader, he continued to contribute to the lives of those around him to his very last breath.
An obituary for Katherine Jane Hull is available HERE.
Roy joined 427 Squadron in December, 1942 among the first group of squadron members but was later posted to 433 squadron. He was a Radar Technician,( see Lions Among Radarmen) among the elite group of men who serviced GEE and later H2S and IFF which became essential for the navigation of operations to and from targets.
Roy met Joyce in Skipton on Swale and was married four months later. Joyce came to Canada in 1946 and they made their life together with their three children. In 1977 Joyce and Roy became active with the reunions of RCAF personnel and specifically 6 Group Bomber Squadrons. These reunions which honoured different 6 Group Squadrons each year were organized, with many volunteers, by George Sutherland a former adjutant of 407 and 434 squadrons. In 1980 it was 427's turn to be recognized.
Al d'Eon, Vern White, Stan Miller and Roy became a committee that began the task of contacting a possible 200 alumni of 427 squadron. Joyce became involved and was energized and persistent in finding as many as possible. Once she had finished she had identified over 600 alumni of 427 squadron. This now became a project for Joyce and Roy and by the time they had finished they had identified over 12,000 members of 6 Group and were the go-to people for comrades trying to contact a long lost wartime friend.
One day when Norm Shannon was visiting the Editor of Air Force Magazine he asked who "the Inksters" were. After
hearing the story and he set up a two day interview with "the Inksters". After hearing the many stories of their success and their many "happy ending" reunions, he featured them in an article in Esprit de Corps called " Tracer of Lost Aircrew".
NATHAN ISAACS (nee Isaacovitch) Nathan was born on November 27, 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and passed away peacefully in Toronto on August 17, 2022 - just short of his 100th birthday. Nathan was the son of Manya and Isaac Isaacovitch, the third of four children; and was predeceased by his sisters, Evelyn and Sadie; and his younger brother, Avrom. He and his siblings were raised in a tight knit community in Winnipeg's north end during the depression, surrounded by cousins that were more like siblings. While he left Winnipeg at 16 when his family moved to Toronto, his love for Winnipeg and the lessons he learned about the importance of family, community and giving to others never left him.
In Toronto Nathan attended Jarvis Collegiate where he met the first love of his life, his wife Miriam Isaacs (nee Lavine). Following graduation Nathan decided to put his sharp mind and aptitude for numbers to good use and pursued accounting, then WWII broke out and he did not hesitate to enlist. Nathan joined the air force and again found a way to provide the greatest value he could, as a navigator(to Pilot John Mullholland and Flight Engineer, Derek Brinkley). True to form, the navigator was arguably the brain centre of the aircraft, remaining calm while doing rapid trigonometry in a dimly lit space under enemy fire with lives literally dependent on his calculations. Nathan flew 35 missions over Europe, most in a Halifax Bomber, always bringing the crew home safely.
Upon his return to Toronto Nathan and Miriam married and had two children, Howard and Peter, and he completed his studies in accounting. Nathan joined a firm upon graduation and stayed with that firm throughout his entire career, ultimately retiring as a partner. Unfortunately, Nathan suffered far too much loss during his life, with the death of his wife Miriam when their boys were very young and the untimely passing of his son Peter. Despite these incredible losses that would have devastated most, Nathan continued, always giving much more than he received.
Eventually, he became reacquainted with the person who would become the second love of his life, Marilyn Robins, with whom he spent almost 30 years until her passing. Nathan retained his incredibly sharp mind almost to the end, continuing to do tax returns until last year and reading his three newspapers per day and engaging in active discussions about world events, sports, and family matters until just last week. Nathan is survived by his son Howard and daughter-in-law Susan Isaacs and his grandchildren Ben (Kayleigh) and Rebecca Isaacs, as well as his devoted nephew Kenny Wolch (Marni Morrison) and Marilyn's children and grandchildren, Jonathan Robins (Val), Susan Robins (Martin Yale) and Zachary, Joshua and Alexander. If ever there was a mensch, it was Nathan, and the world would be a much better place if we had more people like him. In his memory, go out and selflessly do something for someone with no expectation of anything in return - maybe it will catch on!
James Gordon Joy - Commanding Officer 427 Squadron, January to February 1964 during the CF-104 era. Retired Squadron Leader, RCAF and former Reeve of Smith Township. Passed away at the P.R.H.C Pallative Care, Lakefield on Saturday, July , 2011 in his 84th year. Beloved husband of Dorothy (Darke). Dear father of Debra Ann Ney (Bruce) of Edmonton, William Richard (Sandra) of Whitby and Christopher James (Linda) of Barrie. Lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Gregory, Alycia, Andrea, Alexander, Travis, Jesse and Georgia and brother-in-law Ross Darke (Judy). Predeceased by his brother William Joy and his parents Aynsley & Margaret (Berans) Joy.
S/L Danny Kaye a retired Wartime Hallie and Lanc Pilot with 427(LION) Squadron, 6 Group RCAF, Bomber Command passed away in hospital on August 8, 2005 in Ottawa. Dan was born in Vancouver, September 9, 1924. He attended St. Patrick's School, Vancouver College and matriculated from Magee High School.
He enlisted in the RCAF and left home for aircrew training on his 18th birthday, being awarded his wings, his commission, and an overseas posting fourteen months later. Following combat operation and his return to Canada he attended UBC and was graduated with a B.Comm. He was employed in finance and marketing and during this time he flew Vampire jets with 442 Squadron, Vancouver and 401 Squadron, Montreal. He then transferred to the regular force and served in Germany, France, Turkey and Morocco. Dan was an Exchange Officer to the USAF 1967~1970 residing in Virginia and was assigned to the Pentagon. Later in life he pursued graduate studies at Queens and also attended the Richard Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario.
Following early retirement from the RCAF Dan assumed various consulting assignments throughout Canada, and Jamaica ( CIDA). Dan was quietly very proud of his work in early adulthood, like many growing up very fast. Dan was actively interested in reviving the Lancaster and Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. He also visited RAF Leeming, Yorkshire a number of times and on one occasion planting a maple tree.
He leaves his loving wife Doreen; his daughter Diane Holm (John) and his grandson Alexander of Dartmouth NS; his son Michael (Shannon) of Phoenix, AZ; his son Edward (Vivien) Val des Monts PQ, granddaughter Katie ( Mark) Cantley PQ, grandsons Patrick ( Stephanie) of Whistler BC, and Benjamin (Megan) of Cantley PQ, and great granddaughters Jordan and Brooklyn. Dan arranged for a memorial mass, and the cremation and interment of the remains along side those of his father Thomas, and his brother Terrance in the veterans' section of Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver in the presence of SPAADS notably Larry Nelson.
When I was reading ROAR I noticed that you might be looking for info regarding Capt Dick Kaye. I flew the CC115 Buffalo at 413 Sqn after wings grad from 1979 to 1983. Dick was there as Aircraft Commander on the Lab/Voyageur until he passed away in 1983. In SAR he was highly regarded as the chopper driver who could deliver the goods in the vital service of Search and Rescue, in usually really crappy east coast weather. Even though we flew different airframes, I, as a pipeliner was always trying to learn from Dick’s vast experience and his tales in the mess were often mezmerizing. Couldn’t beat him very often on the ace deuce table however. 413 Sqn historian may be able to provide some additional history, particularly on SAR flights, as they were always classified as operational. Great guy, great pilot, great teacher. Col (R) Denny Hopping was his last CO at 413 and he could also provide some info. I believe that he is retired in PEI and is also a 427 Sqn alma mater.
Thanks to Paul Jeffries for this information
Geoffrey Frank Keen was born in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, on 26th March 1916, the youngest of five children, with a brother Jack and three sisters Doris, Gwen and Mary, born to Minnie and Percy Keen. He was never to meet his father, he was killed in action near Messines Ridge in Flanders on 4th June 1917.
At Dr. Challoners Grammar School, Amersham, he was an enthusiastic sportsman and represented the school at both cricket and football. On leaving school he served an apprenticeship in printing, working for the company which produced the local newspaper.
His enthusiasm for sport continued after he left school and became an important part of his life. He and his brother Jack both played for the Town Club, Chesham United, and Geoffrey had trials for both Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers.
On the outbreak of war the two brothers decided to join the RAF and in October 1940 Geoffrey was posted to Yatesbury for basic training then on to Penrhos for Bombing and Gunnery School and finally to Abingdon OTU for wireless training before the finished article was posted to his first operational base as wireless operator/air gunner Sergeant Keen at Dishforth and 51 Squadron, equipped with Whitleys. His log book entries include:
1941
1942
He completed his first tour (30 ops) in November 1941 and was posted to Abingdon No.10 OTU in December. In January 1942 he was cited in the London Gazette as follows:
Distinguished Flying Medal (D.F.M.) London Gazette 30.1.42. Sergeant, No. 51 Squadron, the recommendation states:
'During the many sorties in which this wireless operator has participated, some of which have been at extreme range, he has displayed high qualities of courage and determination. His technical skill is of a high order and on one occasion, after a raid on Stuttgart, his steadiness in obtaining wireless aid was solely responsible for the return of his aircraft after bearings had been completely lost.'
Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Keen became a founder member of 427 Squadron as the wireless operator to Wing Commander Dudley Burnside when he became the Squadron's Commanding Officer and it was on only their seventh operation together that the crews abilities were tested to the limit including Geoffrey as cited below:
Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (C.G.M.) London Gazette 23. 4. 43 Flight Sergeant D.F.M., No.427 (Lion) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force ".On the night of 12th March 1943, this airman was the wireless operator of an aircraft detailed to attack Essen. Whilst over the target area the aircraft was hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire. The navigator was killed instantaneously. Flight Sergeant Keen, who was in the astrodome, had his right foot blown off and received cuts to both legs. Disregarding his wounds, Flight Sergeant Keen regained his seat in the wireless cabin. For over two hours he laboured to repair the damaged apparatus. He could not speak to other members of the crew owing to damage to the inter-communication apparatus. Another airman spoke to him, however, on at least a dozen occasions and found him still conscious and working at his self-imposed task of directing the manipulation of various installations. He also offered assistance in navigating the aircraft and actually managed to drag himself on two occasions to the navigator's compartment to obtain essential information necessary for the aircraft'.s safe return. His courage and fortitude in such circumstances were of the highest order.."
The recommendations states:
'I consider this N.C.O.'s superb display of courage and devotion to duty whilst seriously wounded fully merits the award of the Victoria Cross'
Wing Commander D. H. Burnside, Commanding Officer, RCAF Station, Middleton St. George.
'This case is considered to be an outstanding example of coolness and tenacity of purpose on the part of this N.C.O. when seriously wounded, and demanding courage of the highest order-an award of the Victoria Cross is recommended
Air Officer Commanding 6 Group, Air Vice Marshall G.E. Brookes CB OBE
As was only fitting, the very fine display of courage and determination shown by all members of the crew was subsequently recognised by awards. Wing Commander Dudley Burnside received a Bar to his DFC, Hayhurst and Ross the DFC, and Keen, who already had the DFM, the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. (RCAF Overseas 1944).
Although also backed by "Bomber" Harris the VC was commuted to the CGM and was the first to be awarded to a member of the RCAF.
As a result of his wounds, part of his right foot was amputated but after a period of three months convalescence he returned to the squadron where he remained for the duration of the war, finishing as Squadron Leader responsible for training of Group 6 wireless operators.
Upon returning to civilian life he trained as a teacher before marrying José Barnes, the girl he met after a visit to the cinema in Oxford while training at Abingdon. In 1948 they moved to his home town Chesham, where he was to become Assistant Head and eventually Headmaster of the local village school of St Leonards in Buckinghamshire.
Always a keen sportsman and in spite of the lack of half a foot he continued to play football and cricket not only at club level for Chesham United FC and Chesham CC but also at county level winning several winners medals in the process. When his playing days were over he took up umpiring, golf and bowls. Heaven knows how he found the time to look after the garden.
Following a period of about five years afflicted by Altzheimers, and having been cared for at home by his wife José and son Martin, he died peacefully at home on the 2nd October 1992 aged 76.
On September 25, 1944 F/L Van Kleeck lost one of his four engines on his Halifax while taking
off. Too late to abort, he managed to get airborne. The pilot canvassed the rest of the crew and
they agreed to continue to the target over enemy territory in Occupied France although they would
trail the rest of the bombers from 427 Squadron. "The flak was worse than usual and we were on
our own." he told a newspaper reporter years ago. "But we wanted to do the trip. We had made all
the preparations, had the bombs loaded. I was confident I could fly on three engines."
They successfully completed the mission.
F/L Van Kleeck was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for ...pressing home his attack
with outstanding determination. He completed 34 sorties before the war ended.
After a successful post-war career in Vancouver he and his wife did charitable work in the
downtown eastside area during his retirement.
"Buster" Kincaid was born in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, Dec. 2, 1930, and passed away in Henderson, Nevada July 13, 2010. Buster was proud of his military service, which began in 1950 when he joined the Canadian Army and was assigned to the PPCLI (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry), Third Battalion. As an infantry man, he served in Korea. Later he joined and retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force as a fighter pilot and served in Canada, the USA, France, Germany, and Italy. He held joint citizenship in America and Canada. After he retired, he started his second career as a commercial estimator for a Las Vegas company. He is survived by his wife, of 46 years, Donna Dennis Kincaid.
Commanding Officer of 427 Squadron 1958 to 1960 on Sabres and also CO from 1964 to 1965 on CF-104s.
Born in Québec City, he attended Laval University, obtaining a Latin-Science Diploma, and, later a BA from Carleton University. In 1947, just before the outbreak of the Korean War, and taking up his father's tradition of military service, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Training as a fighter pilot, he became one of 22 RCAF pilots sent by Canada to serve with the US Air Force in Korea. It was on August 5, 1952, while leading a flight of four F-86 Sabre jets, that Flight Lieutenant LaFrance shot down a Mig-15, becoming one of only a handful of Canadians to have engaged in air to air combat since the Second World War. For this action and on return to Canada after 50 missions, he was awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
Following Korea, Claude continued his Air Force career, advancing rapidly though a variety of senior appointments, notably establishing Escadron Tactique de Combat 433 as a French speaking unit and becoming its first Commanding Officer. He later became Commander of Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, Director General of Plans and Policy at National Defence Headquarters, Commander of 10 Tactical Air Group in St Hubert, Quebec, and Chief of Plans, Policy and Programs at NORAD HQ in Colorado Springs. In 1981, after 34 years of service and having accumulated 5000 flying hours in more than 35 different types of fixed and rotary wing aircraft, he retired from the Canadian Forces in the rank of Major General.
He continued to be active in aerospace activities including from 1985 to 1989 as Assistant Deputy Minister Aviation in Transport Canada. Claude then moved on to become a consultant for the International Civil Aviation Organization, overseeing the development of aviation control systems in Albania and Lebanon. In 1994, he became President of Aerospatiale Canada Inc., which later became EADS Canada (now part of Airbus Group) and remained in that position until 2005. Widely regarded for his leadership and planning expertise, he served on a variety of boards and panels including being Senior Vice President of the Canadian Battlefields Foundation, Chairman of the Trustees Committee of Unmanned Systems Canada, and as a member of Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, and the French Académie de l'Air et de l'Espace. For his services to French aerospace he was inducted into the Légion d'Honneur in the rank of Chevalier. Having never fully retired, he found time to become an avid golfer, as well as being active in the Korea Veterans Association. But his main love was his wife and family who will always remain inspired by his zest for life, his integrity and being the epitome of a true gentleman.
Don's air force career spanned 28 years piloting 31 different types of aircraft in many roles. He commanded 427 (Fighter) Squadron in Germany flying the F-86 Sabre. His favorite job was Senior Operations Officer at #1 Fighter Wing, Marville, France, in 1956-58 at the height of the Cold War. He was widely respected by friends and colleagues as the consummate gentleman aviator. After leaving the air force, Don spent 17 years with then-Canada Manpower and was instrumental in establishing the first Canada-wide computerized job listing system. An avid jazz musician, Dad pursued this hobby in retirement, and enjoyed many family get togethers, walking, and reading.
The following eulogy was given by Neil's son George at a memorial on November 22, 2019 in Kingston, Ontario. It is an exceptional tribute and is duplicated here in its entirety
One late summer day in 1941, RCAF pilot John Gillespie McGee Jr, an American then serving with 412 squadron, slipped through the clouds in his Spitfire.
Astonished at the sheer joy of floating through the heavens and commanding this wondrous machine that responded so effortlessly to his whims, he imagined
the lines of a poem, or ditty, as he called it. The words later fell to the page as easily as his craft had slipped through the air.
That ditty, “High Flight” may be familiar to you, but it bears repeating here:
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth,
And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings;
Sunward, I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds,-- and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung,
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or ever eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
I’ve often imagined the singular joy of a quiet, thoughtful man, as he rolls his beautiful Sabre between the clouds, wingtip to wingtip with his
great friends, looking across that narrow space, to nod knowingly. The rivers flashing below as they catch the sun, watching your shadow slide over
the hills at a thousand kilometres per hour. For that was my dad, to me. A fearless jet jockey, but also, quiet and thoughtful. Self assured, but
never ever arrogant. Inventive and clever. Humorous and easy humoured.
I bugged his sister, Mary about his childhood, and she told me that as a boy, he was exactly like he was as a man. Mary taught dad to read before he
started school. Although it seems to have been an excuse to ensure that she wouldn’t have to walk with her little brother, “uphill both ways, in their
father’s boots” on the long walk to Victoria School. Dad’s early education made him a bit of a star in school, to the point that one of his teachers,
upon meeting his mom, my gramma, referred to him as “our little walking dictionary”. In grade 3, when asked what he wanted to do when he grew up, he drew
an airplane.
Some years later, he would arise early on Sunday mornings, “borrow” his bother Percy’s car before he woke up and caught him, and drove out to the airfield
to take flying lessons, always paying for the following lesson in advance, as there was a discount that way. In December 1952, age 21, he earned his
private pilot licence, for “Aeroplanes, single engine, up to 4000 pounds, days only” and later, when a buddy said, “hey, there’s an airforce recruiter
in town”, dad agreed to go along. Basic training followed at Portage La Prairie, and then on to Clairesholm Alberta. In May 1956, he started flying Chipmunks.
Harvards would follow, and in 1957, it was on to jets, starting with the T33 and on May 30, his first flight in his beloved F86 Sabre.
It proved a nimble partner for my father, but it could also be unforgiving, as he found out on August 9th of that year, when he crashed in Chatham New
Brunswick. The incident marked by a brief news clipping from the Whig Standard, and the single word 'PRANG' noted in his log book. He walked away from
the crash, but was injured quite seriously, and he didn’t fly until New Year’s Eve, four and a half months later. If you’ve been wondering about the
rolled up piece of metal on display, that’s his souvenir.
In May 1958, he was transferred to 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrüken, and 427 Squadron. As a young hotshot pilot at a base that included
families, it seems that, at the end of each summer, the lads would gather at the airfield, awaiting the arrival of the new “schoolies”.
On one such plane, a young lovely lady, named Margaret Claire Sirett arrived, fresh from British Columbia, seeking her own adventures.
His logbook makes for interesting reading at that point. Almost every page includes a clipping from Peanuts - the latest adventures
of Snoopy as the World War I flying ace, and his continuing adventures in evading capture, and duelling with the dreaded Red Baron.
There are also brief notes on key dates, highlighting the space race with orbiting satellites, dogs and chimps, and shortly thereafter,
the names we’ve come to know so well, Gagarin, Glenn, Carpenter, Grissom, Cooper, Tereshkova. Also, Floyd Patterson’s knock-out heavy
weight victory, X15 speed records, Kennedy’s inauguration, and his assassination, Roger Maris’s 61st homerun. In June 1961, there is
a curious gap of one week with no flights logged. A brief note in the margins explains, “married - June 2 & 3rd”. On March 7 1962, it
notes a particular highlight: his 1000th hour, and also, “it’s a boy - George Wesley Lakins”. On May 27th, 1963: “Nancy Beth - 7 lbs
14 ounces”
By then, we had moved to Chatham New Brunswick, and in the late summer of 1966 to Saint Hubert Quebec, Calgary Alberta in 1969,
and finally, to Belleville & Trenton in 1973. After 4 years of recruiting, he was back flying again, now with 424 squadron,
Search and Rescue. I suspect he appreciated the return to the air. I’ve rarely heard my father speak ill of anyone, but I know
that he was no fan of his CO in Calgary.
In 1977, he retired to the reserves, working at the Search and Rescue Control Centre, and he, and my mom moved us to Foxboro,
where they opened the “Old Cheese Factory” tea room and craft shop. Dad returned to his other love of carpentry and cabinet making.
Through this iteration, they had come to know Roy and Roberta Murrant, Jim and Joan McCullough, and together with their old friends
Phil and Lillian Stover, they formed EOFIG. This group of friends travelled together, and celebrated together, dressing up to put
on skits for each other’s birthdays. Best you ask them about the continuing adventures of Salvador Dolly, and to, perhaps, shed
light on some of the photographs you may have noted.
Upon moving to Perth Road Village, they renewed their connection to John and Joan Burleigh, and Joe and Barb Percy, meeting Pat
Wolford and his shiny new wife Nancy, who’s wedding dad attended very recently, much to the joy of all. Also Nancy Anderson, John
Lalonde, and ultimately, their new wonderful friends at Canatara Court, most especially Ed and Gail. Friends
from more than 50 years ago remain treasured. Paul and Maryanne Dobrick, Paul and Greta Jones, Jean Bolgatz,
Sask and Cathy Wilford Don Martinusen, and we remember fondly Abe Bolgatz, Tom Newall, Mick Scromeda, Normy Guizzo.
Where ever they have gone, my parent’s quick wit and easy humour have drawn wonderful friends who, I know, think of them as fondly
as they are treasured by my parents. Where would we be without all of you. Nancy, and my mom Claire and I want to express our love
and gratitude for all of you who sent such wonderful notes and memories and who were able to join us here today.
To the end, dad kept his optimism and his humour. If Mary was his partner in crime as a boy, I’ve come to suspect that my
wife Liette may have partially inherited that role of late. Only a few days before his passing, Dad opened his eyes and spotted
her across the room and said, “Liette! Beer!” Who are we to deny such a request? We poured a small glass full and he had a small
sip and tilted his head back, smiling and contented. “God that’s good.” After a few minutes when I suspected he had gone back to
sleep I attempted to remove the glass, lest it spill. He opened his eyes. “Nice try”, he proclaimed. While we stood around him,
enjoying those times when he was present, he inquired as to whether he was giving a speech, and eventually pronounced us boring
company.
I would be remiss if I didn’t also take some time to tell you how wonderfully we have been treated by the medical community though
this ordeal. VON faithfully moved my folks back and forth to medical appointment after appointment. When the time came nurses came
daily from Saint Elizabeth as well as PSW’s ultimately twice a day from both Saint Elizz, and Community Care Partners. Their warmth
and caring and concern and obvious love continued to make this difficult time unfathomably easier. The staff at Nancy’s residence on
West Street in Napanee have been so helpful and supportive helping all of us through this time.
I had the privilege to attend the memorial for the mother of one of my best friends not long ago. At that time, the minister
remarked on the nature of eulogies, and reminded us that these little speeches are us telling the audience all those little things
that maybe we should have been telling our loved ones while we could. I think my dad knew how much I loved him, but I hope he also
knew how much I admired him. His steadfastness, his spirit, his love of his friends and family, his fierce love and pride in his
grandchildren, Mallory and Colin, his determination to only speak well of people, at least in my presence. As has been said many
times by many people about many dearly departed, “if I can be half the man my father was...”
So, dad has slipped the surely bonds of earth, but he is held forever in the footless halls of our hearts.
One last time, I love you pop.
More Photos from the Memorial
Neil's Photos from from Squadron Days
More of Neil's Photos from Squadron Days
"Swede", a kind, generous, loving and loved gentle soul, passed away peacefully with family by his side at the Valleyhaven Retirement Community in Chilliwack BC.
Son of Dorthea and Thorvald Larsen, Swede was of Danish ancestry but the nickname Swede stuck nevertheless. He was predeceased by an infant brother Dan and, in 1970 by his first wife June. Mourning his loss are Caron, his wife of 49 years, his children, Kathleen of Lacombe, AB, Bruce (Sandy) of Edmonton, AB, Dana (Mike) of Mallorytown, ON, Nancy (Billy) of Ottawa, ON, grandchildren Jason (Alicia), Kristina, John, Scarlett, Mitchell, Kelsey, Katherine, Dan (Kim), Dave, Jack and great-grandchildren Sarah and Emma.
Swede was devoted to his family, to his many lifelong friends and to his music. He was generous and kind, a skilled pilot, mentor to many and a dedicated RCAF officer, Mason and Shriner. He had a wonderful sense of humour and could entertain all and sundry with hilarious telling of tall tales.
Born and raised in Chilliwack, his high school pursuits included scrambling up many local formidable mountains and learning to play the saxophone well enough to be in a dance band. During the Second World War, the Larsens expanded their family with the addition of three London blitz 'orphans' whom Swede considered his 'foster' siblings and who remained lifelong friends. After high school graduation, Swede left home and joined the RCAF in 1948 becoming a Radio Technician. Within two years he had married June and was accepted into pilot training. He earned his 'Wings' and became a fighter pilot and, on his first tour, flew Canadair F86 Sabres at RCAF 3(F) Wing, Zweibrücken, West Germany. Following his return from Germany he was posted to the Overseas Ferry Unit in St Hubert, Quebec which delivered new F86 aircraft to RCAF squadrons in France and Germany. Next came North Bay and a tour with the local Ground Observer Corps Unit and the Recruiting Unit, followed by a posting to 414 AW(F) Squadron flying the CF100 and CF101. A tour with the USAF at Goose Air Base, Labrador came next and that was followed by a posting to CF101s at 409 AW(F)Sqn, Comox in 1966. Then came a return to North Bay serving at Air Defence Headquarters as Command Flight Safety Officer and a posting back to 414 Squadron. In 1972 Swede married Caron, an Air Force officer and in 1976 he followed her to CFB Trenton and worked at Air Transport Group Headquarters until 1977 when he retired. Moving to Ottawa he served with the Reserves until 1982. Then for several years he worked for a logistics support business.
Swede was a staunch supporter of SPAADS (Sabre Pilots Association of the Air Division Squadrons), as both a member and local organizer.
His saxophone lay dormant during his military life until the posting to Trenton where he played in the base band. Upon Caron's retirement from the CAF, they moved to Chilliwack in 1988 where Swede continued his 'musical career', playing in the Community Band. He joined the Legion, the Air Force Association as well as the Masonic Order and the Shriners and played in their Concert Band. Later he also played with a small group of musicians leading the musical side of worship at the New Life Church in Chilliwack. His love of music and dancing prompted him to also join the Chilliwack Rhythm Reelers and Dancing Shadows.
Throughout most of his military career he traveled extensively, not always by choice, and, after retirement he and Caron took many cruises and trips to Europe, South America, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, (pretty well always by choice!). Keen curlers, they made many trips to bonspiels in Switzerland, made many friends and even won a few prizes, returning to the same bonspiel ten times, but never learning to yodel!
Johnny's childhood dream was flying airplanes. His dream came true and his log book shows a total of 11,588 hours flying airplanes. His 37 years in the RCAF/CAF began in the 1950's with Johnny being a very young instructor on Harvards in Claresholm, Alberta. The highlights of his dream were flying the Sabre on 427 Squadron at 3 (F) Wing Zweibrucken, Germany and Oldenburg ,Germany where he was an instructor of German pilots on the Sabre (1958 - 1961.) He also instructed on the CF-104 at Cold Lake, a tour which was followed by his posting to 4 (F) Wing Baden-Baden, Germany on 422 Squadron (1964 - 1966.) He then transferred to the C130 flying and logging a total of 6,518 hours spanning the globe. From 1975 to 1977 he flew the 141 Starlifter on exchange with the USAF out of Charleston, South Carolina.
On June 9, 1956 Johnny and Eileen were married in Calgary. Their 53 year journey through life would take them over the peaks and valleys. Johnny was predeceased by their first son Ronald Cory (1957 - 1974) . Ronnie lost his brave battle with Hodgkin's Disease March 4, 1974. Eileen and son John live in St Albert, Alberta. Daughter Lynn Lauf (Kevin) and their two daughters Marie (8) and Meagan (5) (the joy of their grandparents' lives) live on an acreage near St Albert.
After a three year exhausting struggle with leukemia, Johnny passed away peacefully in his sleep February 25, 2010. Hopefully he was dreaming about flying airplanes.
From his family
The funeral service in Petawawa took place on 3 Oct 20 of MWO Norman L. Lawrence, 8TH Canadian Hussars, 427 Tactical Squadron, Royal Canadian Dragoons. He died peacefully, at Pembroke on Friday September 11, 2020 at age of 84 years. Norman Lawrence of Petawawa, beloved husband of Marion Lawrence (nee Desmond).
Norma Domey, his daughter, added to his obituary her comments.
The most influential person during my lifetime, Dad, has passed!
Dad accomplished a lot in his 84 years - a devoted military man, an entrepreneur, a sports enthusiast, and a mentor to many. He was a family man. When he was not with family, he was on the golf course, curling, or coaching young boxers. One of his proudest moments was when he was inducted into the "Sports Hall of Fame" as he was legendary for boxing ... a close second, was receiving an honorable mention in General Rick Hilliers' book " ... A Soldier First"!
Thank you Dad for modeling hard work, for modeling fitness, for modeling academics, and for modeling what family really means!
One of my favorite memories is you and I playing chess, off and on, for days out at the cottage. You've made your heavenly move and we'll continue the game in God's time. I will miss you terribly!
Norma Domey, his daughter, invites any 427 members to visit her post of this armored crewman‘s and previous observer‘s passing.
https://www.facebook.com/norma.domey/posts/10157196280012443
We will remember him.
He was sadly killed in a crash with CF-104 #AC12798. Struck high ground during a low level CPM. Inclement weather a major factor. Buried in Chaloy.
Thanks to Harry Prins, Dick Dunn and Bob Hyndman for this information.
Afer a short illness Del passed away suddenly at Pembroke Regional Hospital. In addition to his regulur duties as the Honourary Colonel for the Squadron he took on the task of fund raising for a dedicated 427 Squadron Cenotaph. He along with his wife Mildred were the driving force which made the dream come true of a cenotaph dedicated to 427 Squadron members who have died in service since the inception of the squadron in 1942.
See also - Hon/Col Del Lippert biography
See also - Hon/Col Del Lippert retires
See also - Cenotaph Dedication
See also - Cenotaph Dedication Photos
See also - 427 Facebook site
George Little had completed four operations as a Flight Engineer with his crew, captained by Flying Officer Lacerte, before they were shot down on their fifth operation to Frankfurt on the night of December 20/21, 1943. All crew members were able to parachute to safety but were captured on landing and spent the remainder of the war as POWs.
