He enlisted in the RCAF-Royal Canadian Air Force on Sept 28, 1943, in London, Ontario. After basic training at the Manning Depot in Toronto, he started his Initial Flying Training courses in Belleville, Ontario, then Truro, Nova Scotia, & finally, completed Bombing & Gunnery School in Mount Pleasant, P. E I. where in April, 1944, he graduated, a sergeant & an air gunner.
He was shipped overseas to England in late May, 1944, excited at the prospect of flying.
Dujring a practice exercise in late August with 5 other young Canadian men, their already obsolete Wellington Bomber hit a hydro pylon at barely 500 ft after takeoff & all but one were killed instantly. Bob, as he was called, died August 30, 1944; he was 19.
He was shipped overseas to England in late May, 1944, excited at the prospect of flying.
Dujring a practice exercise in late August with 5 other young Canadian men, their already obsolete Wellington Bomber hit a hydro pylon at barely 500 ft after takeoff & all but one were killed instantly. Bob, as he was called, died August 30, 1944; he was 19.
