1943 Unaccounted Airmen Database Reconciliation

[wwrsimon]

Paul

Many thanks for the information about Hodges, and for confirming that Bake was aboard FA137.

Regards

Simon

[paulmcmillan]

Confirmed

Beyond Courage: Air Sea Rescue by Walrus Squadrons in the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian Seas 1942-1945

283 Sqn RAF

"Rocky Hodges our Canadian air gunner was killed in a strafing raid while in a tent at Korba North. Sid Prouse was hit in the leg and was in hospital "

[wwrsimon]

Next ten R.C.A.F. losses:

Warrant Officer Class I Kenneth Ignatius Joseph DEANE (R/78952) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was accidentally killed near Thornaby Railway Station. His body was found on the lines at 05.00, having apparently been struck by a train.

Leading Aircraftman John PAWLIUK (R/170408) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died in No. 129 Airfield Hospital due to injuries sustained when he was struck by an Army lorry at Ashford, Kent, while crossing the road to catch a bus at approximately 20.00 hours. It was thought he was confused by the traffic [presumably by the lorry driving on the left?].

Pilot Officer Rodney SHAVALIER (J/27824) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed when Kittyhawk I 1093 of 14 Squadron (also 111 Squadron), Fort Glenn, Alaska crashed near the peak on the south west ridge of Mount Idak, Umak, Alaska.

Pilot Officer Edward William ANDERSON (J/28498) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died in the Royal Victoria and West Hampshire Hospital as the result of injuries sustained when he accidentally fell from a third storey window at a Hotel in Bournemouth. It was suggested that from somewhat incoherent remarks he made before he died he was having a vivid nightmare about baling out of an aircraft.

Flying Officer John Davis WILLAN (J/17145) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he also died due to injuries sustained after falling from a hotel window. He was staying at the Stag and Pheasant Hotel in Leicester while on leave with six other officers. It is thought he fell from the window of room 14 during the night of September 8th, which he was sharing with two others. They woke in the morning and found he was not in the room, and they knew nothing of his fall and concluded he had gone to another room and they left Leicester.
Willan was found lying on the pavement by a police patrol at 04.45 on September 8th, and was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary suffering from severe injuries, and died on September 10th.

Leading Aircraftman Joseph Fernand Roger GALLANT (R/138591) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at 71 General Hospital due to pneumonia.

Flight Sergeant Cedric Gardiner RAFUSE (R/104322) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at 16.30 at R.A.F. Station Hospital, Nassau due to severe burn injuries sustained in the crash of Baltimore FW395 of 113 South Atlantic Wing at Windsor Field, Nassau at 08.00. The Baltimore crashed on take off on a ferry flight.

Leading Aircraftman Neil David McPHERSON (R/142488) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Deer Lodge Hospital, St. James, Manitoba, due to cancer of the kidney. Death due to service.

Warrant Officer Class I Harry Burton SHARPE (R/104011) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Kentville, Nova Scotia due to pulmonary TB.
On his Operational History Form it records that he was previously a soldier for 35 years, and under Details of Last Employer it has 'His Majesty the King' and under Nature of Employer's Business it has 'Running the Empire' which made me smile.

Aircraftman 2nd Class James Arthur BRIDGE (R/262085) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died due to peritonitis following an appendectomy at Moncton Hospital.

Regards

Simon

[wwrsimon]

Another batch of ten R.C.A.F. losses:

Aircraftman 2nd Class Morley Craig BROWNSCOMBE (R/224893) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Riverdale Isolation Hospital, Toronto, due to acute anterior poliomyelitis.

Corporal Edwin John Marr FERRIER (R/56640) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died after being struck by the propeller of Beaufighter LZ190 at R.A.F. Wick at 20.15 hours.

Sergeant Thomas William DRAPER (R/182652) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he drowned at Skipton-on-Swale while on duty. He was taking part in an exercise on September 18th and while swimming across the River Swale at Cundall Manor he disappeared. Despite rescue attempts, he was swept away, and his body was recovered at Crayke Hill Farm near Dalton Station on October 3rd.

Flying Officer James FEARN (J/12721) - the 114 Sqn ORB records him missing in Boston AL703. His R.C.A.F. Service File includes a report from the M.R.E.S., which states that wreckage found on November 8th 1945 at at Map Ref. 2353 Sheet 184 was presumed to be AL703. Reports from the Caribinieri state that it crashed after strafing Capodichino aeodrome.

Flying Officer John William DOWNS (J/12886) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was admitted to No. 1 R.A.F. General Hospital in Tunis suffering from malaria, but contracted jaundice and his condition worsened on September 26th and he died the next day. He was serving with 458 (R.A.A.F.) Sqn.

Flying Officer William John OLIVER (J/23152) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died after accidentally falling from the roof of the St. George Hotel, George Street, Edinburgh while on leave from 6 (C) O.T.U. at R.A.F. Silloth. It was believed he had been walking on the roof during the night for reasons unknown and accidentally walked over the edge. His body was found at 06.45.

Flight Lieutenant Leonard Lawrence HOLMES (C/8076) - his R.C.A.F. Service File includes a note recorded from the Petty Sessions at Salisbury on November 16th 1943. It records that he was killed when his motor cycle collided with a Hillman van driven by 4924573 Driver Edward Cotton, 78th Anti Tank Regiment at 15.15 hours at the junction of the Amesbury-Shrewton road and the Salisbury-Rollestone Road. Holmes was travelling on the main Amesbury-Shrewton road, and Cotton on the minor Salisbury-Rollestone road. As Cotton came to the junction, he pulled out by about four feet into the main road and was hit by Holmes' motorcycle.
Cotton was charged with both dangerous driving and careless driving - the charge of dangerous driving was dismissed but he was found guilty of careless driving and fined £2 with costs of £5 18s 3d.
Another note records that Holmes was taken to the Central M.I. Room, Larkhill, suffering serious injuries, and died soon afterwards.

Corporal Sidney Gordon HARFITT (R/84032) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at 22.45 hours at 64 General Hospital [Alexandria?] due to staphylococcal pneumonia.

Leading Aircraftman Joseph Gillies Alfred POUDRETTE (R/104609) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at York Military Hospital due to injuries sustained in a collision between a crash tender and a truck.

Leading Aircraftman Issie PADVEEN (R/148071) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died suddenly at 30 General Hospital York as the result of a pulmonary embolism following an orchidectomy for teratoma.

Regards

Simon

[Luc Vervoort]

Zimbabwe Death Notices on FamilySearch :

Irvin Linstead 1050758 1943-01-14
Death due to shock as a result of multiple injuries due to collision with a motorcar near Royal Air Force Station Heany
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4F9V

Lees Harold 1072795 1943-01-24
Acute S.T.Malaria, Hyperpyrexia (Cerebral Type) at Bulawayo Memorial Hospital
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4X18

Walker William 1029399 1943-01-28
Outside gates of RAF Kumalo, Bulawayo. Multiple fractures of skull
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4F9J

Ramsley Derek Lincoln 70563 1943-02-22
Death due to multiple injuries result of having been knocked off a moving train by an over-head bridge. Place of death: Bulawayo Military hospital
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4FSR

Wright William 1532593 1943-03-27
Acute appendicitis; General Peritonitis ; Cardiac Failure. Place of death : Salisbury Hospital
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4NG3

Horton Ernest William James 519808 1943-05-07
Enteric Fever. Perforation of Intestines. General Peritonitis. Place of death : Bulawayo Government Hospital
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4FW7

Griffiths Arthur Mervin 710304 1943-05-27
Septic Peritonitis, Thrombosis Mesenteric Vessels, Cardiac Syncope. Place of death : Bulawayo Government Hospital
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4F4R

Koumanakos Elias Royal Hellenic Air Force 1943-05-31
Died as a result of injuries sustained in a flying accident. (Compount fracture of skull and compound fracture of left leg.)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4FHD

Barrett Donald Arthur 1398808 1943-06-08
Accidental death due to deceased having sustained an injury to the head.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4J33

Murray James Rutherford 1564514 1943-06-12
Flying accident at St.Mary’s Mission, nr.Salisbury
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4NY5

Paton Archibald 1577882 1943-06-12
Flying accident at St.Mary’s Mission, nr.Salisbury
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBQ-4NYP

[wwrsimon]

Here are the remaining R.C.A.F. losses except for McGhie whose R.C.A.F. Service File I can't find.

Leading Aircraftman Herbert Oswald OLSON (R/136224) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died due to injuries sustained in a road accident on October 25th 1943 at 23.00 hours near Leeming Bridge. He fell from his bicycle in thick fog, resulting in a fractured skull and died at 04.00 in the Station Sick Quarters at R.A.F. Leeming.

Corporal Norman Allen DURK (R/128297) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was found dead in the Dry Canteen at No. 3 Initial training School, Victorsville, Quebec. He was found with some 10 shoe laces knotted together, tied around his neck and tied around a shelf. The inquest found that his death was caused by suicide while temporarily of unsound mind.

Flying Officer Delbert Wesley WOODWARD (J/21599) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died in hospital as the result of injuries sustained in a road accident on October 29th 1943. He had been a passenger in Dodge 15 cwt van WD91955 driven by 129950 F/O D. C. Savage, travelling from the Officers' Mess at Brindisi towards Grottaglia, when it skidded on a greasy patch in heavy rain, went through a gap in a stone wall and rolled onto its offside. Woodward was pinned under the vehicle, and was extracted with the help of some Italians from a passing Italian Army truck. A passing M/O administered morphia, and he was taken to hospital in the Italians' truck.

Aircraftman 2nd Class Antonio Joseph Aristide PAYEUR (R/136949) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died post-discharge. He had been suffering from pulmonary TB and was admitted to Christie Street Hospital on November 1th 1942.

Warrant Officer Class I Charles Mcdowall HARDCASTLE (R/118235) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Enneskillen [sic] Hospital County Fermanagh as the result of injuries sustained when Sunderland III DP181 force landed in rough seas near Lough Erne on the evening of November 11th 1943.

Warrant Officer Class II Cyril Armstrong DEAN (R/108725) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Osgodby Isolation Hospital, Market Rasen, Lincolnhsire, due to diptheria. He had taken part in approximately 28 Ops with 76 Squadron before his death.

Leading Aircraftman William Alfred DAVIDSON (R/156547) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at No. 7 Canadian General Hospital, Taplow due to pulmonary TB.

Flight Lieutenant James Roy LOGGIE (J/5710) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading due to tonsillectomy haemorrhage and pneumonia.

Sergeant Bernard Richard MINSON (R/90624) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died due to anoxia in U.S.A.A.F. Liberator 240987D, flying as a Radar Mechanic (passenger). The Liberator had been flying at 26,000 feet, and was at 11,600 feet when he was found unconscious. It was found that his oxygen tube was disonnected from his mask. Despite artificial respiration and having oxygen administered, he was found to be dead and was removed to the Station Sick Quarters when the Liberator landed at R.A.F. Defford.
See also: https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.c...try.php?id=123

Sergeant William McEwen TAYLOR (R/138952) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Camp Hill Hospital, Moncton. No further details.

Flight Sergeant Arthur Keith PEARSON (R/151615) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was killed in a taxying accident on the perimeter track at R.A.F. Stradishall involving Lancaster III ED611 'J' at approx. 16.25 hours, when the port outer propeller struck the lorry in which Pearson was travelling. The lorry proceeded straight to the Station Sick Quarters, but Pearson was found to be dead on arrival there.The inquiry found that the driver of the lorry was at fault, having failed to reverse far enough out of the way of the approaching aircraft.

Sergeant William Samuel Henry WEST (R/158765) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died at Basingstoke Neuro Hospital, after being diagnosed with a cerbral tumour. He had been placed on the seriously ill list on November 19th 1943 at No. 1 Canadian Neurological Hospital before being transferred to Basingstoke.

Sergeant Henry Wilbert Humphrey HARE (R/171670) - his R.C.A.F. Service file includes a newspaper clipping which reports that he stumbled off the kerb of a pavement on the Bristol Road, Quedgley at 22.20 hours and fell into the path of a passing motorcycle which ran over him. The Coroner found no blame with the rider of the motorcycle and returned a verdict of Accidental Death.
His Service File records that he was found to be dead on admission to City General Hospital, Gloucester, death being due to thoracic injuries.

Pilot Officer Edmund Joseph CONWAY (J/36435) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he was found unconscious outside the Beach Cafe, Bournemouth at approximately 19.10 by a soldier. He was taken to the Royal Victoria and West Hants Hospital, suffering from a fractured skull, and he died at 21.35. It was found that he had fallen over the balcony of the cafe during blackout hours, landing on the pavement under it. A newspaper article in the file reported that the Coroner returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Flight Lieutenant Donald Patrick KELLY (J/4340) - his R.C.A.F. Service File records that he died due to an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, his body being found in his quarters at Biggin Hill at approximately 12.30 hours. The Coroner returned a verdict of assumed suicide while the balance of the mind was disturbed.

Regards

Simon

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi Simon,

The R.C.A.F. Service File for McGhie mentions that he was a member of the crew on an aircraft which failed to return to its base after flying operations on October 4th, 1943, between the Isle of Man and Anglesey at 9:16 pm.

Unfortunately no other details.

Best regards

Luc

[wwrsimon]

Thanks Luc. Did you find his whole R.C.A.F. file?

I did manage to find the bit about between the I.o.M. and Anglesey on the 'Province of Ontario - Certificate of Registration of Deaths' but couldn't find his actual R.C.A.F. Service File. I posted earlier in the thread as a query, suggesting he was possibly on Anson N5373:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...998#post149998

Regards

Simon

[Jagan]

For Robert McGHIE (J/28074) : https://rcafassociation.ca/heritage/...h-to-mckibbon/ also mentions :

From Simcoe, Ontario. Killed Oct 4/43 age 21. #1 Advanced Flying Unit. Anson aircraft #5373 missing between the Isle of Am and Anglesea. Four airmen, not Canadians, missing presumed killed. Pilot Officer Bomb Aimer McGhie has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede War Memorial, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, England.

I will take that as the final entry till we find otherwise!

[wwrsimon]

Jagan

Just to "dot the i's and cross the t's"...thanks to Luc I have McGhie's R.C.A.F. Service File (helpfully filed under 'McGehie' on ancestry.com) which confirms his unit as 1 (O) A.F.U. on the Official R.C.A.F. Casualty Notification.