Miscellany
This page is not about RCAF No. 111 (F) Squadron.
In my searching for tidbits of data about 111 Squadron, I have discovered other little bits that I couldn't let go to waste. On this page, you might find a long-lost relative, an airplane photo you have been looking for or something about a remote air force base that you didn't even know you were curious about. Discover, enjoy. I will be adding frequently, as I find things.
If you see anything of interest on this page (or on any other in this site), please contact me.
This page is not about RCAF No. 111 (F) Squadron.
In my searching for tidbits of data about 111 Squadron, I have discovered other little bits that I couldn't let go to waste. On this page, you might find a long-lost relative, an airplane photo you have been looking for or something about a remote air force base that you didn't even know you were curious about. Discover, enjoy. I will be adding frequently, as I find things.
If you see anything of interest on this page (or on any other in this site), please contact me.
This photograph came from Joan Sharun. She said: "This is my Mom. The toughest person I ever met, very gentle and spiritual. She enjoyed her service time and spoke of it often... about the great people she worked with." Her Mother was stationed at RCAF Patricia Bay from 1943 until the end of the war. She, apparently, was one of the first Canadian women in uniform. She enlisted in Ottawa. In 2012, she was one of 60 Canadians honoured with the Queen's Jubilee Diamond Medal for her WWII service.
Corporal Scriber settled in British Columbia and Alberta after the war. She died at the age of 94, after a short illness, on July 25, 2014 in Lloydminster, Alberta.
Joan would like to know more about her Mother's career as a Radio Telephone Operator. She would be pleased to hear from anyone who can give her any idea what her Mother's wartime experience might have been at Patricia Bay. I will be happy to pass on any information that is sent this way.
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Corporal Scriber settled in British Columbia and Alberta after the war. She died at the age of 94, after a short illness, on July 25, 2014 in Lloydminster, Alberta.
Joan would like to know more about her Mother's career as a Radio Telephone Operator. She would be pleased to hear from anyone who can give her any idea what her Mother's wartime experience might have been at Patricia Bay. I will be happy to pass on any information that is sent this way.
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Recently, while riffling through old photographs in Brent Fletcher's jam-packed militaria store in Victoria, British Columbia (look it up at 1306 Government Street; it's called Command Post of Militaria & Antiques), I found this picture.
On the back were these hand-written notes:
Recu: Thurs, Feb 10, 1944
Whitehorse, Y.T.
Jan 1944
Cpl Ben W. Shanklin
Post of Whitehorse
Chaplain's Assistant
1050 Sandusky
Kansas City, Kansas.
The notes were written in three different hands.
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On the back were these hand-written notes:
Recu: Thurs, Feb 10, 1944
Whitehorse, Y.T.
Jan 1944
Cpl Ben W. Shanklin
Post of Whitehorse
Chaplain's Assistant
1050 Sandusky
Kansas City, Kansas.
The notes were written in three different hands.
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Brent Fletcher's store also yielded this picture. Thank you, Brent.
Written on the back:
Joe Semple, Bob Semple, ?
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Leading Aircraftman G. A. Beaddie, No. 14 (F) Squadron, RCAF
Umnak Island, Aleutian Islands, 1943
I don't know what his trade was. I know he was with 14 Squadron for some period leading up to November 18, 1943 when the squadron had left Umnak Island and had returned to Boundary Bay. At that time, LAC Beaddie was struck off squadron strength and deployed to #3 Manning Depot, Edmonton where he was to begin the process of preparing to become aircrew. I don't know how that went for him. I believe he survived the war.
Leading Aircraftman G. A. Beaddie, No. 14 (F) Squadron, RCAF
Umnak Island, Aleutian Islands, 1943
I don't know what his trade was. I know he was with 14 Squadron for some period leading up to November 18, 1943 when the squadron had left Umnak Island and had returned to Boundary Bay. At that time, LAC Beaddie was struck off squadron strength and deployed to #3 Manning Depot, Edmonton where he was to begin the process of preparing to become aircrew. I don't know how that went for him. I believe he survived the war.
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Sergeant (Armourer) Francis Bruce Ritchie
This photograph with the following handwritten note (probably written in 1944, during the War, probably by a local Librarian). came to me courtesy of Becky George, Local History and Genealogy Librarian, Pickering Public Library, Pickering, Ontario:
"Corporal Ritchie, F.B.
Francis Bruce Ritchie was born in Toronto, July 4, 1920. He spent the first four years of his life in Alberta and then moved with his parents to Ontario. He attended Audley Public School and Pickering Continuation School. He moved to Brougham in July, 1934 and transferred to Claremont Continuation School and later to Markham High School. He graduated from Upper School in 1938.
For the next few years he was employed in research work in the laboratory of the Canadian National Carbon Co. in Toronto.
He enlisted in July, 1941 with the R.C.A.F. and went overseas.March 1, 1942 with the rank of Leading Aircraftman I. He has been continuously with the Goose Squadron (408 Squadron) in England since that time. He was advanced to the rank of Corporal in 1943 and was "Mentioned in Dispatches" in the King's New Year Honour List, 1943, for which he received the decoration of The Oak Leaf."
RCAF No. 408 "Goose" Squadron was a bomber squadron. They flew Handley-Page Hampden medium bombers and AVRO Lancasters.
Sergeant Ritchie's son, Peter Ritchie, responded to this page. He had never seen this picture so I sent him a digital copy. In return, he shared some information about his Father. While his Father, like so many veterans, was reticent about the war, he did share some stories. Peter remembers that he was an Erk, Ground Crew, an Armourer. He armed the bombers of RCAF No. 408 "Goose" Squadron, and he did so for the full length of the war. Peter said his Father "seemed to have a special reverence for the Lancaster going as far as to note, with derision, that the USAAF was flying the B-17 at the time which had a 10 man crew versus the Lancaster's 7 and the B-17 had a much smaller payload than the Lancaster."
Peter remembered that he told him that "night fighters with upward firing cannon were a problem at one point in the war. Dad said that to counter this a downward firing gun (I assume it was .303 similar to the other weapons on board) was fitted to an aircraft as a defence against this type of attack. I don't know if this was a local modification but there are photos online of Lancasters so equipped."
When the war ended, he remained in England, assisting in the disposal of no-longer-needed munitions. In 1947, he returned to Canada with the rank of Sergeant and a wife and two daughters. After the war, he remained interested in the RCAF and, at one point, he was CO of RCAF #19 Squadron Air Cadets in Stratford, Ontario. He died in early 1998. Thank you for sharing this, Peter. Peter and his family are curious about what was said about then-Corporal Ritchie in the "Mentioned in Dispatches". Can anyone out there tell them how they might get a look at the Mention?
Sergeant (Armourer) Francis Bruce Ritchie
This photograph with the following handwritten note (probably written in 1944, during the War, probably by a local Librarian). came to me courtesy of Becky George, Local History and Genealogy Librarian, Pickering Public Library, Pickering, Ontario:
"Corporal Ritchie, F.B.
Francis Bruce Ritchie was born in Toronto, July 4, 1920. He spent the first four years of his life in Alberta and then moved with his parents to Ontario. He attended Audley Public School and Pickering Continuation School. He moved to Brougham in July, 1934 and transferred to Claremont Continuation School and later to Markham High School. He graduated from Upper School in 1938.
For the next few years he was employed in research work in the laboratory of the Canadian National Carbon Co. in Toronto.
He enlisted in July, 1941 with the R.C.A.F. and went overseas.March 1, 1942 with the rank of Leading Aircraftman I. He has been continuously with the Goose Squadron (408 Squadron) in England since that time. He was advanced to the rank of Corporal in 1943 and was "Mentioned in Dispatches" in the King's New Year Honour List, 1943, for which he received the decoration of The Oak Leaf."
RCAF No. 408 "Goose" Squadron was a bomber squadron. They flew Handley-Page Hampden medium bombers and AVRO Lancasters.
Sergeant Ritchie's son, Peter Ritchie, responded to this page. He had never seen this picture so I sent him a digital copy. In return, he shared some information about his Father. While his Father, like so many veterans, was reticent about the war, he did share some stories. Peter remembers that he was an Erk, Ground Crew, an Armourer. He armed the bombers of RCAF No. 408 "Goose" Squadron, and he did so for the full length of the war. Peter said his Father "seemed to have a special reverence for the Lancaster going as far as to note, with derision, that the USAAF was flying the B-17 at the time which had a 10 man crew versus the Lancaster's 7 and the B-17 had a much smaller payload than the Lancaster."
Peter remembered that he told him that "night fighters with upward firing cannon were a problem at one point in the war. Dad said that to counter this a downward firing gun (I assume it was .303 similar to the other weapons on board) was fitted to an aircraft as a defence against this type of attack. I don't know if this was a local modification but there are photos online of Lancasters so equipped."
When the war ended, he remained in England, assisting in the disposal of no-longer-needed munitions. In 1947, he returned to Canada with the rank of Sergeant and a wife and two daughters. After the war, he remained interested in the RCAF and, at one point, he was CO of RCAF #19 Squadron Air Cadets in Stratford, Ontario. He died in early 1998. Thank you for sharing this, Peter. Peter and his family are curious about what was said about then-Corporal Ritchie in the "Mentioned in Dispatches". Can anyone out there tell them how they might get a look at the Mention?
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Flight Sergeant Raymond "Ray" Thorburn
The man in the photo has been identified as Ray Thorburn and an associate of the Sergeants in 111 Squadron However, I am not aware of his role, if any, in 111 Squadron. He served with the RCAF in Alaska, probably in Anchorage. Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed.
Photo by then-Sergeant (Air Frame Mechanic), later P/O (Pilot) Lou Wise.
Flight Sergeant Raymond "Ray" Thorburn
The man in the photo has been identified as Ray Thorburn and an associate of the Sergeants in 111 Squadron However, I am not aware of his role, if any, in 111 Squadron. He served with the RCAF in Alaska, probably in Anchorage. Photo Identification Confidence Level: 1 Confirmed.
Photo by then-Sergeant (Air Frame Mechanic), later P/O (Pilot) Lou Wise.
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Squadron Leader (Administration) Melville "Mel" Genge
Before he enlisted in the RCAF, he was a banker. He was probably about 30 years old when he enlisted and was commissioned early. He served, probably as Paymaster, in 133 (f) Squadron, posted at Alliford Bay, British Columbia and No. 6 (br) Squadron at Tofino, British Columbia. There is reason to believe that he retired from the RCAF in 1944 and the family believes that he was attached, in the later years of the war, with US Military Intelligence, perhaps in the Aleutian Islands. His RCAF ID number might have been C8857. The question: Did he retire from the RCAF to join the U.S. Intelligence Service? Or was he seconded to the US Military while still a member of the RCAF? They would like to have more detail about how that might have come to happen and where and with whom he served. Unfortunately S/L Genge passed away in 1982. He was taciturn about his wartime experiences and so the family was not able to gather the information they would still like to have. Can you help? Does this name ring a bell with you? Please contact me and I will put you in touch with the family or relay your information to them.
This photograph and historical information was supplied by S/L Genge's Grandson, John James.
Squadron Leader (Administration) Melville "Mel" Genge
Before he enlisted in the RCAF, he was a banker. He was probably about 30 years old when he enlisted and was commissioned early. He served, probably as Paymaster, in 133 (f) Squadron, posted at Alliford Bay, British Columbia and No. 6 (br) Squadron at Tofino, British Columbia. There is reason to believe that he retired from the RCAF in 1944 and the family believes that he was attached, in the later years of the war, with US Military Intelligence, perhaps in the Aleutian Islands. His RCAF ID number might have been C8857. The question: Did he retire from the RCAF to join the U.S. Intelligence Service? Or was he seconded to the US Military while still a member of the RCAF? They would like to have more detail about how that might have come to happen and where and with whom he served. Unfortunately S/L Genge passed away in 1982. He was taciturn about his wartime experiences and so the family was not able to gather the information they would still like to have. Can you help? Does this name ring a bell with you? Please contact me and I will put you in touch with the family or relay your information to them.
This photograph and historical information was supplied by S/L Genge's Grandson, John James.
www.northlincsweb.net/103Sqn/ ****************
Warrant Officer I (Pilot) Robert Lloyd Telfer R62467 From Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Killed in Action, August 28, 1942, age 21, No. 103 Squadron. Halifax aircraft #BB 204 missing from a night trip over enemy territory. P.O. R.A. Bingham (RAF), Sgts J. Patch (RAF) and S.A. Webster (RAF) were also killed. Two RAAF and one RAF member missing, believed killed. Warrant Officer, Class 2, Pilot Telfer is buried in the Communal Cemetery, Gosselies, Hainaut, Belgium. (This information taken from They Shall Grow Not Old, a Book of Remembrance, Allison & Hayward, Brandon, MB: The Commonwealth Air Training Program Museum. 1992. a compendium of all RCAF members lost in WWII. I have this photograph because the woman in the picture, Marvel Baker, was a close friend of my Mother. They went through the war together and weathered, together, the terrible news of Lloyd's death. This photograph, their wedding picture, was taken while Lloyd was still a Leading Aircraftman and Pilot Trainee (note white band in his cap). He trained near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and routinely flew training flights over my Grandmother's house while I was visiting. I was too little for me to know whether I ever met Lloyd but I suspect I did. He was remembered in my family as a very fine guy. No. 103 Squadron was a Royal Airforce Bomber Squadron. They flew Handley-Page Halifax bombers for only a few months in 1942 before switching to Avro Lancasters. The squadron served long and faced much danger with commensurate casualties. Lloyd was one of many. Since I posted this photograph, I stumbled upon the McMaster University Alumnae Community Memorial website which has a very thorough summary of his military career. See this site for David Fell's examination of the history, the equipment and casualties of RAF No. 103 Squadron. He has combed through the squadron's Operational Reports and Daily Diaries to sketch the story of each squadron member who died in WWII. An amazing piece of work in progress. |
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A puzzle to solve:
Do you recognize this man or this squadron symbol?
Question 1: which of the various fighter squadrons used this (dark, probably red, maple leaf in white circle) insignia?
I have pictures of several P-40s bearing this insignia so I think it was adopted as a squadron signature. The candidate Kittyhawk squadrons would include 118 Squadron but they only had P-40 Es (Mk1a); 163 Squadron (had both Es (Mk1a) and Ks (Mk II) but no Ns (Mk III). 135 Squadron (had only P-40 Ns
(Mk III). That would leave 118 out and, probably, 163.
My bet: Since the P-40 in this picture is a P-40 N, I bet it was from 135 Squadron.
This close-up of a P-40 was in the Collection of Squadron Leader (Pilot) Dave Ramsay. After he finished as CO of 111 Squadron on November 7, 1943, his next assignment was 163 Squadron at Sea Island. I believe this P-40 had formerly served either with 111 Squadron or 14 Squadron. If the picture was taken at RCAF Sea Island (Vancouver), it dates to late 1943 or 1944.
I do know that, on October 15, 1943, 111 Squadron transferred six P-40 Ns from Patricia Bay to Sea Island. It is possible that these well-used aircraft were gathered at Sea Island for disposal or reassignment.
On October 18, 1943, another four P-40 Ns were ferried to Sea Island by 111 Squadron from Patricia Bay. The Squadron's Daily Diary listed their numbers as 861, 862, 863 and 864. On October 25, they ferried over numbers 866 and 867. Only 861 and 862 had been part of 111 Squadron's complement so they were ferrying the others for another squadron or, possibly, they were brand new.
By May, 1944, 135 Squadron was receiving P-40 Ns. Three of the formerly 111 Squadron aircraft did get assigned to 135 Squadron. They were 862, which 135 Squadron designated as "C", 864 ("F" ) and 866 ("M").
I have found a further clue to my Query: see photo below
A puzzle to solve:
Do you recognize this man or this squadron symbol?
Question 1: which of the various fighter squadrons used this (dark, probably red, maple leaf in white circle) insignia?
I have pictures of several P-40s bearing this insignia so I think it was adopted as a squadron signature. The candidate Kittyhawk squadrons would include 118 Squadron but they only had P-40 Es (Mk1a); 163 Squadron (had both Es (Mk1a) and Ks (Mk II) but no Ns (Mk III). 135 Squadron (had only P-40 Ns
(Mk III). That would leave 118 out and, probably, 163.
My bet: Since the P-40 in this picture is a P-40 N, I bet it was from 135 Squadron.
This close-up of a P-40 was in the Collection of Squadron Leader (Pilot) Dave Ramsay. After he finished as CO of 111 Squadron on November 7, 1943, his next assignment was 163 Squadron at Sea Island. I believe this P-40 had formerly served either with 111 Squadron or 14 Squadron. If the picture was taken at RCAF Sea Island (Vancouver), it dates to late 1943 or 1944.
I do know that, on October 15, 1943, 111 Squadron transferred six P-40 Ns from Patricia Bay to Sea Island. It is possible that these well-used aircraft were gathered at Sea Island for disposal or reassignment.
On October 18, 1943, another four P-40 Ns were ferried to Sea Island by 111 Squadron from Patricia Bay. The Squadron's Daily Diary listed their numbers as 861, 862, 863 and 864. On October 25, they ferried over numbers 866 and 867. Only 861 and 862 had been part of 111 Squadron's complement so they were ferrying the others for another squadron or, possibly, they were brand new.
By May, 1944, 135 Squadron was receiving P-40 Ns. Three of the formerly 111 Squadron aircraft did get assigned to 135 Squadron. They were 862, which 135 Squadron designated as "C", 864 ("F" ) and 866 ("M").
I have found a further clue to my Query: see photo below
Here is a row of P-40 Ns, probably at Patricia Bay. The third plane back has just the hint of the nose-art of 135 Squadron which featured a boxing-gloved Bulldog. Since both that aircraft and the one in front (with the white-circled dark maple leaf) appear to be together, perhaps that suggests that 135 Squadron used both figures as their insignia. It is identified as "M". P-40 N (866) wore the letter M in 135 Squadron. 135 also had one with a V; it was P-40 N (857). The third aircraft in line, with the 135 Boxing Bulldog insignia,looks like it might be "N" which would make it P-40 N (880). That might just tie these three aircraft together, to the Boxing Bulldog logo and, therefore, to 135 Squadron.
Remaining speculations:
Did these aircraft arrive from the factory with the maple leaf insignia already applied?
Was it applied by 111 Squadron (I have no reason to think so)?
Had these aircraft served in another squadron before being assigned to 111 Squadron in September-October, 1943?
Did these aircraft serve in a different squadron between their service to 111 Squadron (ended October 15-18, 1943) and their being picked up by 135 Squadron (May, 1944)?
The photograph (above) matches one in the 135 Squadron feature on the Vintage Wings site. See it, it's a great site!
And... more clues...
Remaining speculations:
Did these aircraft arrive from the factory with the maple leaf insignia already applied?
Was it applied by 111 Squadron (I have no reason to think so)?
Had these aircraft served in another squadron before being assigned to 111 Squadron in September-October, 1943?
Did these aircraft serve in a different squadron between their service to 111 Squadron (ended October 15-18, 1943) and their being picked up by 135 Squadron (May, 1944)?
The photograph (above) matches one in the 135 Squadron feature on the Vintage Wings site. See it, it's a great site!
And... more clues...
The photograph on the right shows a Spit IXb looking very new and shiny. The picture was taken probably just about at the time it arrived at 402 Squadron in July, 1942. Perhaps it flew in with the insignia already painted on. I have also seen a picture of AE*A (BS 306) which arrived at the same time and which also bore this insignia. As did Johnnie Johnson's 402 Squadron Spit IXb (BS 434, AE*J). And Lorne Cameron's 402 Squadron AE*W (BS 152). And Ian Keltie's 402 Squadron AE*B (EN 398) "Popeye" (Modeler's version above).
Before June, 1942, 402 Squadron was flying Mk Vcs.
I have not seen a picture of that model with the maple leaf insignia. Does this suggest that the insignia was adopted only when the Mk IXs arrived? I wonder how a decision to adopt an insignia for a squadron was made.
Before June, 1942, 402 Squadron was flying Mk Vcs.
I have not seen a picture of that model with the maple leaf insignia. Does this suggest that the insignia was adopted only when the Mk IXs arrived? I wonder how a decision to adopt an insignia for a squadron was made.
Pat Murphy, a spectacularly productive modeler, and now associated with Vancouver Island Military Museum, has responded to my puzzle. Here is his take on the little red maple leaf logo: "With respect to the maple leaf logo on Spitfires and Kittyhawks ( UNTIL TODAY I DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE ON KITTHAWKS) I have discovered over the years that it is almost impossible to determine how things get started and that Canadian symbol is one of them. I once asked a 403 Squadron Spitfire pilot F/O George Aitkin what was the origin of that specific marking, he said he was not certain however he thinks it was to identify the Canadian Squadrons. He said the Americans thought that all Spitfires were British so some ground crew guy who was handy with a paint brush went ahead and painted them on a few aircraft and it caught on. I would assume that some personnel who came back to Canada to help train fledgling pilots brought the idea back to Canada and they then applied them to Kittyhawks. I notice they show up in 1942 and then peter out in late 1943. I guess as more Canadian Squadrons were formed the Canadian Identity was more obvious to our American Allies."
This picture shows a portion of the 50 unique Spitfires, 16 years of work by Pat Murphy, with two more Spitfires to come, depicting aircraft as they looked when they were flown by noted RCAF pilots, including some who left 111 Squadron and retrained on Spitfires in Europe. This display is mounted at the Vancouver Island Military Museum. Pat Murphy's work is painstakingly accurate as he strives to honour the men who served. He says this about how he got started with this project: " It's taken me 16 years to build the Spits and it all started when I went to work on the Y2-K Spitfire project as a volunteer in August 2000. Once I met a Spitfire pilot and got talking to them I was hooked. I have met many of them and had the good fortune to travel to their homes to get details on the individual markings they had on the Spitfires they flew so it's been fun." Thank you, Pat for your work and your comments about my puzzle. It's a delight to meet another guy who finds some obsessive and probably-to-everyone-else foolishly impossible task to honour and commemorate our servicemen.
So.... a new theory emerges. Since I have not seen any 135 Squadron Hurricanes with this insignia, I will assume that this maple leaf design only appeared on 135 Squadron aircraft after 135 Squadron got P-40s which was in May, 1944. New theory (thanks, Pat): a veteran of 402 or 403 Squadron, returning home to finish out his service, joined 135 Squadron and somehow managed to convince whoever had to be convinced that 135 Squadron should adopt this insignia.
New Question: Was there a 402 or 403 Squadron Pilot who finished out his war with a stint in 135 Squadron in early 1944?
The only connection I know, between 402 Squadron and 135 Squadron is Wing Commander Gordon McGregor who was with WAC in 1943 and, according to the 135 Squadron Daily Diary, was in and out of 135 Squadron frequently. McGregor did fly in 402 Squadron when they had the Spitfire IXs.
If you can sort this out, please let me have your thoughts. Contact me.
New Question: Was there a 402 or 403 Squadron Pilot who finished out his war with a stint in 135 Squadron in early 1944?
The only connection I know, between 402 Squadron and 135 Squadron is Wing Commander Gordon McGregor who was with WAC in 1943 and, according to the 135 Squadron Daily Diary, was in and out of 135 Squadron frequently. McGregor did fly in 402 Squadron when they had the Spitfire IXs.
If you can sort this out, please let me have your thoughts. Contact me.
I am very appreciative of Pierre Lagacé's indefatigable efforts to bring family and friends of RCAF WWII veterans into the work of commemorating and celebrating the contributions of the men who stepped up for us. You can see his blog and his coverage of this picture and much other material at https://rcaf403squadron.wordpress.com/2018/06/07/pilot-visitor/
New data: This just in. Pierre Lagacé, in his blog covering RCAF No. 403 Squadron, has posted this photograph of a 403 Squadron Spitfire IXb which also sports the red maple leaf insignia. Pierre's question on his blog asks who is the man sitting on the wing. I wonder about that, too. Regarding the insignia, note that the placement is different. 402 Squadron placed theirs just forward of the pilot while 403's insignia is on the engine nacelle just below the end of the exhaust ports. I take that to suggest that the decision regarding where to place the maple leaf insignia was made not by the manufacturer but by someone at the squadron. I am looking for evidence that other squadrons used this insignia. If you can help Pierre identify the man in this picture, please do so at the address below.
Shortly after he posted the photo (below), Pierre Lagacé,had a response from Stephen Nickerson. Here is the response: "Hi Pierre;
I believe S/L Robert Morrow introduced the round red maple leaf insignia for the 402 squadron in March or April 1942. Morrow liked the red and white checker board insignia the Polish squadrons used for identification so he came up with the red maple leaf to identify Canadian squadrons. Syd had served under Morrow in late 1941 and early 1942. He may have liked the concept and introduced Morrow’s created Maple Leaf insignia for his squadron in 1943."
S/L Morrow won his DFC while commanding RCAF No, 402 (Spitfire) Squadron. After flying 161 sorties, he returned to Canada where he had several postings before the war ended. One was to serve as S/L of 111 Squadron in the Aleutians.
Shortly after he posted the photo (below), Pierre Lagacé,had a response from Stephen Nickerson. Here is the response: "Hi Pierre;
I believe S/L Robert Morrow introduced the round red maple leaf insignia for the 402 squadron in March or April 1942. Morrow liked the red and white checker board insignia the Polish squadrons used for identification so he came up with the red maple leaf to identify Canadian squadrons. Syd had served under Morrow in late 1941 and early 1942. He may have liked the concept and introduced Morrow’s created Maple Leaf insignia for his squadron in 1943."
S/L Morrow won his DFC while commanding RCAF No, 402 (Spitfire) Squadron. After flying 161 sorties, he returned to Canada where he had several postings before the war ended. One was to serve as S/L of 111 Squadron in the Aleutians.
This photo just emerged. It was posted by that amazing blogger, Pierre Lagacé, This is a photo of 403 Squadron pilot F/O K.P. Marshall posing in front of his Mark 9b. It is wearing the little red maple leaf. I guess they also appeared in other squadrons, as well. Pierre found the photo at http://images.milton.halinet.on.ca/70166/data That, too, is a great site for vintage materials in Ontario's Halton County area. Note: the placement of the red maple leaf is not in the same place in the two 403 Squadron aircraft. F/O Marshall's plane has it in the same place as 402 Squadron had theirs.
But here is the biggest clue of all: and I think we have the answer. Steve Sauvé has sent this information:
"Here is an extract from an article I'm finalizing for the next issue of the IPMS Canada 'RT' journal:
"In February, 1943, RCAF HQ approved the production and application of an 8” decal (it doesn’t seem to have been given an official nomenclature more than calling it a “distinguishing emblem”), consisting of a red maple leaf on an 7” azure blue disk, surrounded by a 1/2” dark blue ring. You can find this marking on RCAF bombers, Beaufighters, Bostons, Mosquitos, Mustangs, Spitfires, and probably other RCAF types based in the UK. It was to be worn by all operational aircraft deployed overseas.
RCAF HQ later decided that aircraft actively involved on operations in Canada should also wear this marking. However, photo evidence of this is fairly rare for Home War Establishment types like B-24 Liberators, PV-1 Venturas, Bolingbrokes, Hurricanes or P-40 Kittyhawks." (Steve Sauvé article, RT Journal - Summer 2022, IPMS Canada. Used here with permission)
"Here is an extract from an article I'm finalizing for the next issue of the IPMS Canada 'RT' journal:
"In February, 1943, RCAF HQ approved the production and application of an 8” decal (it doesn’t seem to have been given an official nomenclature more than calling it a “distinguishing emblem”), consisting of a red maple leaf on an 7” azure blue disk, surrounded by a 1/2” dark blue ring. You can find this marking on RCAF bombers, Beaufighters, Bostons, Mosquitos, Mustangs, Spitfires, and probably other RCAF types based in the UK. It was to be worn by all operational aircraft deployed overseas.
RCAF HQ later decided that aircraft actively involved on operations in Canada should also wear this marking. However, photo evidence of this is fairly rare for Home War Establishment types like B-24 Liberators, PV-1 Venturas, Bolingbrokes, Hurricanes or P-40 Kittyhawks." (Steve Sauvé article, RT Journal - Summer 2022, IPMS Canada. Used here with permission)
Question 2: Who is the man sitting in the cockpit?
He is clearly an Officer. There is a Pilot's name painted on the side but it is difficult to make out. What is clear is that the name started and ended with an "S". Squires, Stiles...?
But he may have been a visiting Officer, having the fun of posing in an old war horse. Perhaps it is just the camera's positioning, but he looks too big for the space.
If he looks familiar to you, please let me know your speculation. Contact me.
It may be "Pop" Battleson.
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Flight Sergeant (Bomb Aimer) Harry Pordage
Flight Sergeant (Bomb Aimer) Harry Pordage
This photo and this note were sent to me by an Australian woman who wanted a way to honour her Uncle. I offered her a spot on this page and she has agreed but requested that I not attach her name to the posting. Happy to oblige and thank you for sharing the details of your Uncle's contributions. I would be pleased to serve as an intermediary if anyone would like to communicate with her.
"My Uncle Harry spent 3 months at Pat Bay from January 1943 in OTU 32, training as a bombaimer on the Hampdens. He was there as an Australian Airman, sent to Canada under the E(mpire) A(ir) T(raining) S(cheme). His photo in Victoria, Vancouver Island, shows a happy young man, despite his circumstances of being so far from home & knowing he was enroute to war. His rank was upgraded to Flight Sergeant during his time at Pat Bay. He'd come from 7 weeks at Summerside, then returned to Halifax to await embarkation to England. He then served for Coastal Command, initially as a Navigator with a NZ squadron flying Hampdens based in northern Scotland before the Hampdens were withdrawn from service in late 1943. He was then transferred to an English squadron flying Liberators, based in Northern Ireland, Iceland & Scotland, before his life was lost along with his crew members on a night training flight in November 1944. He had flown a total of 835 hours & survived one U-boat attack in the North Atlantic Sea. There is no doubt that he was a committed member of his crews & served the Empire with dedication. I am sorry that he did not survive to return to his loving family so far away in Australia."
"My Uncle Harry spent 3 months at Pat Bay from January 1943 in OTU 32, training as a bombaimer on the Hampdens. He was there as an Australian Airman, sent to Canada under the E(mpire) A(ir) T(raining) S(cheme). His photo in Victoria, Vancouver Island, shows a happy young man, despite his circumstances of being so far from home & knowing he was enroute to war. His rank was upgraded to Flight Sergeant during his time at Pat Bay. He'd come from 7 weeks at Summerside, then returned to Halifax to await embarkation to England. He then served for Coastal Command, initially as a Navigator with a NZ squadron flying Hampdens based in northern Scotland before the Hampdens were withdrawn from service in late 1943. He was then transferred to an English squadron flying Liberators, based in Northern Ireland, Iceland & Scotland, before his life was lost along with his crew members on a night training flight in November 1944. He had flown a total of 835 hours & survived one U-boat attack in the North Atlantic Sea. There is no doubt that he was a committed member of his crews & served the Empire with dedication. I am sorry that he did not survive to return to his loving family so far away in Australia."
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JACK LEMON'S CREW
And here is yet another sad story... hell! it is the story of war.
Fact: only 25% of the Airmen who served in Allied Bomber Command came home without injury or imprisonment as a POW. 25%! Very dangerous work. And then you chisel away at that 25% when you consider the powerful effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Very dangerous, Indeed!
This is the story of a bomber crew: Jack Lemon's crew. They, together, flew a RAF 57 Squadron Lancaster (Lancaster #ED 766). Their job: deliver bombs to the enemy. A lot of bombs!
They were: Warrant Officer 1 (Pilot) John Harold "Jack" Lemon from Toronto, Ontario; Warrant Officer 2 Lawrence Joseph "Doc" Lalonde, (Navigator) from Cornwall, Ontario; Warrant Officer 2 George Russell "Hap" Holm (Wireless Air Gunner) from Peace River, Alberta; Warrant Officer 2 Robert George "Bob" Griffin (Wireless Air Gunner) from Whitby, Ontario; Pilot Officer (Air Gunner) Daryl Owen "Mac" McMahon from North Bay, Ontario and two RAF crew members whose names I do not know.
This highly trained group of men, on the night of April 11, 1943, were shot out of the sky over Darmstadt, Germany. This picture, as well as any other, shows the cost to Canada of fighting that war. Look at these faces and the loss becomes personal and very real. This picture is here for the relatives of these men and for any Canadian who will find it easier to comprehend the enormous loss by being able to put names and faces on it. We remember, guys.
For reasons no one in the family seems to know, this picture was in the Collection of F/L (Pilot) A.L.S. Harrison, a fighter pilot with 111 Squadron. It comes courtesy of his son, Edward Loyd Harrison. Thanks Ted.
This page caught the eye of Dan Cimini who is gathering information for a book about airmen from his area (northern British Columbia and Alberta) who never returned. Warrant Officer 2 George Russell "Hap" Holm (Wireless Air Gunner) from Peace River, Alberta is one of "his" people. If you have information about airmen that you would like to share with Dan, I'd be happy to help. Contact Me.
Doug Gow sent this: "John Harold Lemon was my maternal grandmother's nephew, Earle and Alice where his parents, Alice was my grandmother's sister. They farmed for many years near Stayner Ont. My e-mail address is in honor of hmcs Kenora on which my father served as an officer from 1943 including the D-day operations with the 14th minesweeping flotilla."
The KENORA was a Bangor class minesweeper which did indeed serve in WWII. It protected cross-Atlantic convoys carrying troops and supplies from North America to Europe and then it helped to pave the way for the the invasion on D-Day. Congratulations, Doug, for being part of a family that contributed so much to our country. Thanks for sharing with this site.
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Aircraftman 1 Kenneth Louis Schmitz
I was astonished. After looking far and wide for material to include in this site, I stumbled on this photograph among pictures my Father had collected about his youth. Here is Aircraftman 1 Kenneth Louis Schmitz He and my Father knew each other in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, well enough for Dad to have Schmitz's immediate post-enlistment photograph in his collection. |
I have had his collection for many years. But I don't remember ever seeing this picture. I opened the album, and there it was. I googled his name and this popped up:
Kenneth Louis SCHMITZ
Obituary
"SCHMITZ, Kenneth Louis September 16, 1922 – August 25, 2017 Kenneth Louis Schmitz died peacefully at Gilmore Lodge on Friday, August 25th with family in attendance. He was born and raised in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He was president of his high school and after graduating joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving as a navigator and being honoured with the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he attended St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and later completed a doctorate at the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies in Toronto. He taught Philosophy at Loyola University in Los Angeles and later at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Indiana University
in Bloomington and the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. In 1971, he returned to Toronto to teach at Trinity College, University of Toronto. After retiring, he worked for many years with the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. Kenneth is survived by his three children Donald Schmitz, Anne (Donn Layne) Schmitz and Jonathan (Elizabeth) Schmitz, along with his eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Lillian and his son Geoffrey. Services will be held at St. Basil's Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, on Friday, September 1st at 10 a.m."
Published in the Toronto Star on Aug. 31, 2017
In Allison & Hayward's They Shall Grow Not Old - A Book of Remembrance , on page 675, there is an entry for Donald Joseph Eugene Schmitz, also from Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Here is the entry: SCHMITZ, DONALD JOSEPH EUGENE, Pilot Officer, Pilot, J94345//R62361, from Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Killed in Action June 5/44 age 21 #243 Squadron (Swift in Pursuit). Spitfire aircraft #JL 395 was flying at 200 ft when flak struck the long range tank which immediately burst into flames. After flying a short distance, P/O Schmitz pulled the aircraft up to about 250 feet, the Spitfire then rolled on to its back, dove straight into the ground and crashed in flames near Pike Vico, Italy. Pilot Officer Pilot Schmitz is buried in the Balsena War Cemetery, Viterbo, Italy.
I am assuming these two men were brothers. Their two "obituaries" highlight the horrible loss that accompanies war. The one brother's brilliant career post war serves to underline what civilization lost with the other brother's very early death.
I would be very pleased to share this picture with any member of the family who would like too have it. Contact me here.
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Kenneth Louis SCHMITZ
Obituary
"SCHMITZ, Kenneth Louis September 16, 1922 – August 25, 2017 Kenneth Louis Schmitz died peacefully at Gilmore Lodge on Friday, August 25th with family in attendance. He was born and raised in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He was president of his high school and after graduating joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving as a navigator and being honoured with the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he attended St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and later completed a doctorate at the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies in Toronto. He taught Philosophy at Loyola University in Los Angeles and later at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Indiana University
in Bloomington and the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. In 1971, he returned to Toronto to teach at Trinity College, University of Toronto. After retiring, he worked for many years with the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family. Kenneth is survived by his three children Donald Schmitz, Anne (Donn Layne) Schmitz and Jonathan (Elizabeth) Schmitz, along with his eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Lillian and his son Geoffrey. Services will be held at St. Basil's Church, 50 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, on Friday, September 1st at 10 a.m."
Published in the Toronto Star on Aug. 31, 2017
In Allison & Hayward's They Shall Grow Not Old - A Book of Remembrance , on page 675, there is an entry for Donald Joseph Eugene Schmitz, also from Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Here is the entry: SCHMITZ, DONALD JOSEPH EUGENE, Pilot Officer, Pilot, J94345//R62361, from Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Killed in Action June 5/44 age 21 #243 Squadron (Swift in Pursuit). Spitfire aircraft #JL 395 was flying at 200 ft when flak struck the long range tank which immediately burst into flames. After flying a short distance, P/O Schmitz pulled the aircraft up to about 250 feet, the Spitfire then rolled on to its back, dove straight into the ground and crashed in flames near Pike Vico, Italy. Pilot Officer Pilot Schmitz is buried in the Balsena War Cemetery, Viterbo, Italy.
I am assuming these two men were brothers. Their two "obituaries" highlight the horrible loss that accompanies war. The one brother's brilliant career post war serves to underline what civilization lost with the other brother's very early death.
I would be very pleased to share this picture with any member of the family who would like too have it. Contact me here.
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Warrant Officer 1 (Wirelees and Air Gunner) Clare Kinton
I've received this letter and pictures from the son of this veteran of the Aleutian and European campaigns. Here is his description of his parents' first experiences with the War.
“My father was just finishing his training at the bombing and gunnery school, RCAF Station Fingal, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour. My mother, very pregnant with me, was there with him, staying in a rented room. Several train loads of young airmen were sent to the West Coast to set up patrols for Japanese submarines and a possible invasion fleet.
Wives were not allowed on the troop trains but my father and another young airman smuggled their wives onto the train. When the conductor or officers learned that the two pregnant wives were on the train, they were to be dropped off at the next station. Several hundred airmen objected and indicated that the officers or conductor would be the ones off the train if they tried to eject the two wives.
My mother got off in Calgary where she had family nearby and I was born on February 2, 1942. A month or so later, she took the train to Vancouver, boat to Port Alberni, bus to the Alberni Canal and another boat to Ucluelet. My father had rented a cabin on Fletcher Cove, three miles north of Ucluelet. This was our home for the next sixteen months. No 4 BR Squadron was flying Stranraers initially but eventually transitioned to Cansos.”
Wives were not allowed on the troop trains but my father and another young airman smuggled their wives onto the train. When the conductor or officers learned that the two pregnant wives were on the train, they were to be dropped off at the next station. Several hundred airmen objected and indicated that the officers or conductor would be the ones off the train if they tried to eject the two wives.
My mother got off in Calgary where she had family nearby and I was born on February 2, 1942. A month or so later, she took the train to Vancouver, boat to Port Alberni, bus to the Alberni Canal and another boat to Ucluelet. My father had rented a cabin on Fletcher Cove, three miles north of Ucluelet. This was our home for the next sixteen months. No 4 BR Squadron was flying Stranraers initially but eventually transitioned to Cansos.”
When the 15 P-40 Kittyhawks from RCAF No. 14 Squadron flew north from the Vancouver area to join RCAF No. 111 Squadron in the attacks against the Japanese base in Kiska Island, Clare Kinton was the Wireless Operator on the Canso seaplane (#9752) that accompanied them.
The photograph shows him with RCAF No. 160 Squadron Their principal duty while at Yarmouth was to provide air cover for the "Princess Helene", a passenger and cargo ferry operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway. She plied between Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. He spent five months at this duty before being sent overseas. He was stationed at RAF Operational Training Unit when he was killed in a training accident. He was learning the complexities associated with an aircraft very much larger than the Canso he crewed in Canada. Sunderland #DD851 was returning from an anti-sub patrol November 8, 1944 when a connecting rod from the aircraft's inner right engine broke. Fire broke out, the engine fell off. and the aircraft crashed. All 10 airmen aboard were killed. He was 23 years old.
He died as a Warrent Offcer, First Class. That would have been the top rank for a non-officer. He is buried at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrowgate, Yorkshire, England.
My deepest thanks go out to David Kinton who supplied the description and photo.
The photograph shows him with RCAF No. 160 Squadron Their principal duty while at Yarmouth was to provide air cover for the "Princess Helene", a passenger and cargo ferry operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway. She plied between Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. He spent five months at this duty before being sent overseas. He was stationed at RAF Operational Training Unit when he was killed in a training accident. He was learning the complexities associated with an aircraft very much larger than the Canso he crewed in Canada. Sunderland #DD851 was returning from an anti-sub patrol November 8, 1944 when a connecting rod from the aircraft's inner right engine broke. Fire broke out, the engine fell off. and the aircraft crashed. All 10 airmen aboard were killed. He was 23 years old.
He died as a Warrent Offcer, First Class. That would have been the top rank for a non-officer. He is buried at Stonefall Cemetery, Harrowgate, Yorkshire, England.
My deepest thanks go out to David Kinton who supplied the description and photo.