Operation: Mail delivery

Date: 15th December 1944 (Friday)

Unit No: 168 (Heavy Transport) Squadron, RCAF

Type: Fortress IIA

Serial: #9203

Code: None

Base: RCAF Station Rockliffe, Canada

Location: Lost in the sea between Morocco and the Azores

Crew:

Pilot: Flt Lt. Horace Brougham Hillcoat AFC, AFM, C21305 RCAF Age 31. Missing (1)

1st Officer: Flt Lt. Alfred John De Laune Ruttledge DFC and Bar, J15160 RCAF Age 30. Missing (2)

Navigator: Flt Lt. Frederick Blair LaBrish AFC, J4763 RCAF Age 31. Missing (3)

WOp: Fg Off. Cecil Alexander Dickson AFC, J10870 RCAF Age 24. Missing (4)

Crewman: Cpl. Robert Emerson Bruce R192653 RCAF Age 21. Missing (5)

Above left to right: Flt Lt. Horace B. Hillcoat AFC, AFM (from his service record), Flt Lt. Alfred J.D. Ruttledge DFC and Bar (Courtesy of The Hamilton Spectator, dated 20th December 1944), Flt Lt. Frederick B. LaBrish AFC (courtesy Mike Harrison), Fg Off. Cecil A. Dickson AFC (Courtesy of the Edmonton Journal, dated 22nd December 1944)

Passengers:

Pilot: Flt Lt. William Stewart Pullar DFC, J18049 RCAF Age 26. Missing (6)

Nav: Flt Lt. Douglas Haig Sharpe J11485 RCAF Age 28. Missing (7)

Admin Officer: Flt Lt. William Laurel Wilson C12659 RCAF Age 36. Missing (8)

Above left to right: Flt Lt. William S. Pullar DFC (no attribution), Flt Lt. Douglas H. Sharpe (Courtesy of The Edmonton Bulletin, dated 29th December 1944), Flt Lt. William L. Wilson (from his service record)

REASON FOR LOSS:

Above: Rare photograph of Fortress IIA #9203 (Courtesy of World War Photographs)

Fortress IIA 9203 was detailed for a routine flight from Rabat Sale, Morocco to RCAF Station Rockliffe, Canada with a planned stop at Lagens in the Azores.

Note: Fortress II #9203 was built as B-17F-45-VE Bureau No. 42-6101

The aircraft departed at 01:04 hrs on the 15th December 1944 with a flight plan ETA at Lagens of 08:40 hrs that day. The last radio report received from the Captain of the Fortress consisted of a routine position report transmitted and received at 03:18 hrs that day. The aircraft failed to arrive at its planned destination at Lagens whereupon a combined RAF/RCAF/RN search was initiated by RAF Transport Control (RAFTC).

Note: The last message from the aircraft report their position at 33 ^o 30’ W which would have placed the aircraft some 390 miles west of Rabat Sale over the Atlantic.

No trace of wreckage or survivors were found. The circumstances leading to the loss of the Fortress and crew have not been established.

Above Courtesy of The Ottawa Citizen, dated 22nd December 1944

(1) Horace Brougham Hillcoat enlisted in the RCAF on the 27th September 1940. R61220 Aircraftman Class 2 (AC2) Hillcoat was eventually posted to No.2 Initial Training School (2 ITS) in Regina, Saskatchewan and joined Course No. 8 held from the 13th October 1940 to the 31st October 1940.

He was then posted to No.5 Elementary Flying Training School (5 EFTS) at the Moose Jaw Flying Club at Lethbridge in Alberta and joined Course No. 11 held from the 5th November 1940 to the 22nd December 1940. His ability as a pilot was assessed at ‘High Average’.

As an AC2 he was posted to a Flying Instructors Course at Central Flying School (CFS) at Trenton, Ontario, which was held from the 23rd March 1941 to 6th April 1941.

On the 8th April 1941 temporary Sgt. Hillcoat was posted as an Instructor at No.19 Elementary Flying Training School (19 EFTS) at the Civilian training school at Virden in Manitoba. After two (2) months he was appointed to Flight Commander of “C” Flight.

He was awarded the Air Force Medal (AFM) for his Instructor duties at 19 EFTS. (London Gazette 1st January 1943).

The following was the recommendation for the award of the AFC by the Commanding Officer (CO) of 19 EFTS dated the 12th February 1942:

“This airman is one of the original instructors drawn from aircrew of the BCATP to act as an instructor. He has been employed by this school since its inception, and was promoted to Flight Commander five weeks later, which position he has held since. His devotion to his work has been outstanding and, through hard work, he has assisted materially in raising the standard of aircrew product turn out by the school. He has flown a total of 853 hours”.

He was promoted to Sgt. on the 10th April 1942 and was an Instructor at No.6 Service Flying Training Unit (6 SFTS) RCAF Station Dunnville in Ontario.

On the 10th October 1942 he was promoted to acting Flt Sgt. which was cancelled in favour of being promoted to acting Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) effective on the 1st December 1941. On the 15th October 1942 he was posted 132 (Fighter) Sqn at RCAF Station Tofino, on Sea Island, British Columbia. This squadron was flying the Kittyhawk IA.

On the 22nd August 1942 he was appointed to a commission and promoted to C21305 Plt Off. He was promoted to acting Fg Off. on the 1st March 1943 and to temporary Fg Off. on the 4th June 1943.

On the 14th May 1943 he was posted to No.12 Communications Sqn, RCAF Station Rockcliffe in Ontario.

On the 16th September 1943 he was detached to 165 (Transport) Sqn detachment in Edmonton, Alberta. On the 16th November 1943 he was posted to 168 (Heavy Transport) Sqn at RCAF Station Rockcliffe in Ontario.

Fg Off. Hillcoat was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) whilst with 168 (HT) Sqn, RCAF. (London Gazette 5th May 1944).

Citation reads:

“This officer was captain of a Fortress, which was proceeding one night recently from Great Britian to Gibraltar, when about 190 miles from base, under very dark conditions in cloud, his aircraft had a violent head-on collision with an unidentified aircraft. Despite the fact that two engines were out of commission, all four propellers bent and the aircraft badly damaged, he managed to right it, after falling approximately 2000 feet. When they were still unable to hold altitude, he directed his second pilot and crewman to jettison the cargo and all loose equipment. By strenuous effort and skilful flying, he was able to set course for land. Although flying with a new crew previously unknown to him, he guided their efforts with such confidence that every member performed his function in a most exemplary manner. The flight back occupied approximately two hours of instrument flying, during which the aircraft was vibrating terrifically and apparently on the verge of breaking up. By careful use of radio and other aids an aerodrome was found and a successful landing was made with no further damage to his aircraft. This officer, when faced with an almost unprecedented emergency in the air, did his job and directed the crew in an extremely laudable manner”.

The following was the statement by Fg Off. Hillcoat which describes the particulars of the accident to Fortress II #9205 (built as a B-17E Bureau No. 41-9142) on the morning of the 22nd January 1944:

‘I took off from Portreath with a flight plan to Gibraltar of 01:30 hrs. The weather was favourable.

We had to parallel a [weather] front for 200 miles which was giving rain and winds of about 40 kts. from 240^o to 250^o. The temperature was plus 10^o at 5,000 ft. Freezing level was 7,000 ft. We were about 190 miles on our way, at 47^o 40’N, 07^o 29’W, when at 03:07 hrs we hit an unidentified aircraft, as near as we could tell, head on.

Note: 47^o 40’N, 07^o 29’W is about 330 miles SW of Portreath and 146 miles WSW of Brest, Finistére department, Brittnay, France.

We were on instruments at the time and it was a very dark night so we could not see well enough to determine the type of aircraft or its markings. The 1st Officer did see the aircraft go under our starboard wing and plunge downward. Our aircraft went into a spiral to the right.

We had been cruising at 5,000 ft and before I was able to recover from the spiral we were down to 3,500 ft. No. 4 engine was out and No. 3 was giving a maximum of 1,400 rpm and was running so very rough that it was useless.

We were unable to hold our altitude so I had my 1st Officer and Crewman throw out all our cargo of mail and other articles of equipment to lighten our load. By the time this was done we were at 1,200 ft, but I found I could hold altitude on my two port engines. My Navigator had given me a course to steer and the Wireless Operator had sent out an SOS. The IFF was switched onto 'distress' and the Wireless Operator had obtained a fix. The Navigator's compartment had the window broken out and the Navigator was working on the floor of the Wireless Operator's room.

The air had become quite turbulent and the aircraft was very difficult to handle. At 04:30 hrs we sighted the reflection from the searchlights at Predannack Airfield and we accomplished a landing at 05:00 hrs.

Note: RAF Predannack Airfield is in Cornwall and was opened in May 1941 as a satellite for RAF Portreath and played a crucial role during World War II, hosting various squadrons for fighter patrols and anti-shipping operations.

Upon inspecting the aircraft we found that all four propellors were damaged, there were a number of holes on the starboard side of the forward part of the fuselage, windows were broken on the port side of the Navigator's compartment, and the skin was badly wrinkled in an area of approximately 20 sq ft. The pitot tubes were bent, the radio compass Loop broken off, and aerials missing. Between No. 1 and No. 2 motors we found a piece of tail assembly of the other aircraft and on examining same, found it had come from a Wellington.

Note: Later investigation found that the only Wellington reported missing on this day was Wellington XIII JA268 from the 3 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit (3 OADU).

The crew, without exception, worked in a cool and competent manner. All hands were ready to ditch if necessary’.

The crew was:

Pilot: Fg Off. Horace Brougham Hillcoat AFM, C21305 RCAF;
1st Officer: Fg Off. Eli Maximillian Rosenbaum J27043 RCAF;
Navigator: Fg Off. Frederick Blair LaBrish J4763 RCAF;
WOp: Fg Off. Cecil Alexander Dickson J10870 RCAF;
Crewman: Cpl. Albert De Marco R145602 RCAF.

Note: It appears from the available records that Fg Off. Rosenbaum and Cpl. De Marco survived the war.

In addition to Fg Off. Hillcoat being awarded the AFC. The AFC was awarded to Fg Off. Rosenbaum, Fg Off. LaBrish and Fg Off. Dickson with Cpl. De Marco being awarded the Air Force Medal (AFM). (London Gazette 5th May 1944).

He was promoted to temporary Flt Lt. on the 1st August 1944.

(2) Alfred John De Laune Ruttledge enlisted as aircrew on the 21st June 1940 and after preliminary training in Canada was awarded his Flying Brevet and subsequently posted overseas as a Sergeant Pilot arriving in the UK on the 1st May 1941.

After a brief stay at RAF Uxbridge he was posted to No. 11 Operational Training Unit (11 OTU) for operational training on Wellingtons. On completion of the course he was posted to 57 Squadron at RAF Feltwell in Norfolk for duty on Wellingtons. Before commencing operational flying he was attached to No. 5 Blind Approach Training (5 BAT) Flight at RAF Honington in Suffolk.

Note: 5 BAT was renamed as No. 1505 Beam Approach Training (1505 BAT) Flight in October 1941.

He completed a tour with 57 Squadron flying a total of 168.30 operational hours, comprising 26 sorties. Whilst with the squadron he was appointed to a commission and promoted to Plt Off. with effect the 22nd January 1942.

On the 16th March 1942 he was posted to the Telecommunications Flying Unit (TFU) at RAF Hurn in Dorset where he was employed on experimental work in connection with Signal Apparatus. In June that year the unit moved to RAF Defford in Worcestershire where he continued to be so employed until October 1942. Whilst there he flew one operational sortie, comprising 9.20 hours.

On the 11th November 1942 he was posted to 161 Squadron but did no operational flying whilst there. On the 16th November 1942 he was transferred to 138 (Special Duties) Squadron at RAF Tempsford in Bedfordshire. He completed his second operational tour there, flying total of 224.30 operational hours, comprising 32 sorties fling the Whitley and Halifax.

Note: The squadron dropped supplies and agents for the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS)and the Special Operations Executive (SOE)to Axis occupiedterritory.

Fg Off. Ruttledge was awarded a DFC whilst with 138 (Special Duties) Squadron which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 14th May 1943:

Citation reads:

‘During the last months this officer has participated in a large number of missions, the success of which has been largely owing to his leadership and skill as a pilot. His outstanding record of success and magnificent example have been a source of inspiration to his squadron’.

He was then posted overseas with No.1575 Flight which was formed for SOE duties, arriving in Algiers on the 11th June 1943. The Flight was later raised to squadron status as 624 squadron, operating in Algeria, Tunisia, Middle East, Italy, and finally returning to Algeria. This officer also did two operations from Malta. Whilst in North Africa he flew 318.25 operatorial hours, comprising approximately 44 trips on the Halifax.

Acting Flt Lt. Ruttledge was awarded a Bar to his DFC whilst with 624 Squadron which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 27th June 1944:

Citation reads:

‘Since awarded the DFC in May, 1943, Flight Lieutenant Ruttledge has completed many operational sorties. He has flown over enemy occupied territory in Europe with a complete of opposition or adverse weather. This officer is a courageous pilot whose courage and devotion to duty have always been of the highest order’.

On the 30th March 1944 he was posted to No.1 Base Personnel Depot (1 BPD) in Algiers and on 4th April 1944 was attached to the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF) Rear for flying duties in connection with the Military Airfield Project (MAP) at Blida in Algeria. On 28th May 1944 he was returned to 1 BPD pending return to the UK for repatriation to Canada.

Flt Lt. Ruttledge arrived from North Africa on the 4th June 1944 and was Taken on Strength (TOS) at No. 3 (RCAF) Personnel Reception Centre (PRC) at the Metropole Hotel in Bournemouth. After the customary leave he was posted to RCAF Repatriation ('R') Depot in Houghton Green, Warrington in Lancashire, pending repatriation to Canada.

On the 23rd June 1944 he was attached to RAF Porten Down in Wiltshire for three (3) weeks to gain a better understanding of work carried out there and then proceeded to RAF Boscombe Down in Wiltshire for a further week where he was shown how the work at RAF Porten Down was carried out.

Flt Lt. Ruttledge had completed two (2) operational tours and one (1) non-operational tour and on the 21st June 1944 was posted to RCAF 'R' Depot for repatriation to Canada as he was not required in the UK for further duties. His total flying time amounted to 1501.35 hours, comprising 103 sorties.

After returning to Canada he was posted to No.1 Test and Development Establishment at RCAF Station Rockliffe on the 12th August 1944. On the 21st November 1944 he was Taken on Strength (TOS) of 168 (Heavy Transport) Squadron.

(3) Frederick Blair LaBrish enlisted in the RCAF as aircrew on the 20th July 1940. R56237 Aircraftman Class 2 (AC2) was then posted to No 2. Initial Training School (2 ITS) in Regina, Saskatchewan and joined Course No. 6 held from the 1st September 1940 to 30th September 1940.

He was then posted to No.3 Air Observer School (3 OAS) at RCAF Station Regina in Saskatchewan, where he joined course No.9 held from the 14th October 1940 to the 6th January 1941.

This was followed by a posting to No.2 Bombing & Gunnery School (2 BGS) at RCAF Station Mossbank in Saskatchewan, where he joined Course No. 4 held from the 6th January 1941 to 17th February 1941. After completion of his training he was awarded his Observer Brevet on the 16th February 1941 and promoted to Sgt.

The staff of 2 BGS noted that he was under consideration as an instructor but it was their opinion that he was not a suitable type in that role.

He was then posted to No.1 Air Navigation School (1 ANS) at RCAF Station Rivers in Manitoba, where he joined Course No.9 to undertake Advanced Air Observers training from the 17th February 1941 to the 15th March 1941.

R56237 Sgt. LaBrish was appointed to a commission and promoted to J4763 Plt Off. on the 16th March 1941.

He was then posted overseas to the UK to No. 21 Operational Training Unit (21 OTU) at RAF Morteon-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire, for training with his crew on the Wellington. Upon completion he was posted to 37 Squadron where he completed 28 Operational flights amounting to over 250 hrs on the Wellington from England, Egypt and Malta.

He was promoted to Fg Off. on the 16th March 1942.

He ceased to be attached to the RAF and was posted from RAF Ferry Command, Dorval on the 27th June 1942 and then to the Repatriation Pool at RCAF Station Rockcliffe reporting there on the 14th September 1942.

On the 5th October 1942 he was posted to No.1 Central Navigation School (1 CNS) at RCAF Station Rivers in Manitoba, and joined Course No.16 Air Observer Instructor (AOI), which he completed on the 19th October 1942.

He was then posted to No. 9 Air Observer School (9 AOS) at RCAF Station St. Jean in Quebec on the 19th October 1942. Whilst here he came into conflict with authority and was disciplined on two occasions.

He was next posted to No.1 OTU at RCAF Station Bagotville in Quebac as a Navigation Instructor on the 21st June 1943. However, he did not have the prerequisite of being a qualified pilot, and as he had been disciplined on two occasions, he was not deemed suitable for the post and it was recommended that he should return to active operations.

He was then posted to No. 10 AOS, RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswick on the 2nd July 1943 and then to RCAF Station Rockcliffe in Ontario on the 9th November 1943. A week later he was posted to 168 (HT) Sqn at RCAF Station Rockcliffe.

Fg Off. LaBrish was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC) whilst with 168 (HT) Sqn, RCAF. (London Gazette 5th May 1944). See Ser 1 above for accident report.

Citation reads:

‘While on a routing flight from Portreath to Gibraltar on the morning of January 22nd, 1944 at 03:07 hrs the aircraft in which he was Navigator came into a violent collision with another aircraft.

The Navigator's compartment was badly damaged but Fg Off. LaBrish quickly gained his full senses and immediately moved aft to the wireless compartment, where although he had to work on the floor, under extremely awkward conditions he carried on his duties in a very cool and efficient manner. A great deal is due to his expert knowledge and coolness that the aircraft successfully completed the return trip to Predannack in its badly damaged condition’.

He was promoted to temporary Flt Lt. on the 1st June 1944.

(4) Cecil Alexander Dickson enlisted in the RCAF on the 26th May 1941. R105702 Aircraftman Class 2 (AC2) Dickson was categorised for training as a Air Gunner.

No.2 Wireless School (2 WS), Course No. 26 in Calgary, Alberta from the 15th September 1941 to 2nd March 1942 and was authorised to wear the Wireless Operator’s badge.

No.8 Bombing and Gunnery School (8 BGS) Course No. 26A at RCAF Station Lethbridge in Alberta from 2nd March 1942 to 30th March 1942. He graduated first out of a class of thirty (3) and was awarded his Air Gunners brevet and promoted to Sgt.

He was posted to No.31 Operational Training Unit (31 OTU) at RCAF Station Debert in Nova Scotia and was appointed to a commission and promoted to J10870 Plt Off. on the 19th April 1942. The OTU was equipped with Lockheed Hudson bombers. Its task was to conduct training over long distances, in marginal flying conditions, to train men who had rarely flown out of the sight of land, under realistic conditions.

Posted to No.45 (Transport) Group at Dorval Airport in Montreal and promoted to Fg Off. on the 1st July 1942. He was employed with the 112 Arm of the group on the North Atlantic routes and made more that six (6) transatlantic delivery flights.

He was then posted to RCAF Station Rockcliffe in Ontario on the 1st November 1943 and on the 18th November to 168 (HT) Sqn at RCAF Station Rockcliffe.

(5) Robert Emerson Bruce enlisted in the RCAF on the 24th September 1942 in the trade of Aero Engine Mechanic (AEM). After he had completed his training he was posted to 168 (HT) Sqn on the 14th November 1943.

(6) William Stewart Pullar enlisted in the RCAF as Aircrew on the 19th December 1940. R77774 Aircraftman Class 2 (AC2) Pullar undertook his preliminary drill training at No.2 Manning Depot (2 MD), RCAF Station Brandon in Manitoba, and Guard Duty at No.35 Service Flying Training School (35 SFTS), RCAF Station North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

He commenced his Aircrew training at No.1 Initial Training School (1 ITS), RCAF Station Toronto in Ontario. He was selected for pilot training and was posted to No.8 Elementary Flying Training School (8 EFTS) near Vancouver (Sea Island), British Columbia. After successfully completing this phase of his training he was posted to No.15 Service Flying Training School (15 SFTS), RCAF Station Claresholm in Alberta. He graduated and was awarded his Flying Brevet and promoted to Sgt. on the 20th August 1941.

He was then posted overseas to the UK on the 15th September 1941. On the 29th September 1941 he reported to No.3 (RCAF) Personnel Reception Centre (3 PRC) at the Metropole Hotel in Bournemouth.

He was then posted to No.13 Blind Approach Training (13 BAT) Flight at RAF Honington in Suffolk.

Note: 13 BAT was renamed as No. 1513 Beam Approach Training Flight in October 1941.

On the 28th October 1941 he was posted to No.22 Operational Training Unit (22 OTU) at RAF Wellesbourne Mountford in Warwickshire to commence training on the Wellington.

He was promoted to Flt Sgt. on the 1st March 1942. Upon completion of the course on the 21st April 1942 he was posted to 21 OTU at RAF Morten-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire where he trained with his crew on the Wellington. They finished their training on the 10th May 1942 and were posted to the Middle East for deployment with 40 Squadron.

They were posted to 15 OTU (Ferry Unit), at RAF Harwell in Oxfordshire awaiting an aircraft to the Middle East. On the 22nd May 1942 they arrived at the RAF Transit Camp, Almaza in Egypt and on the 24th May 1942 transferred to 40 Squadron. Flt Sgt. Pullar was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) on the 20th August 1942. On completion of his 1st Operational tour he had flown a total of 258.05 operational hours, comprising 36 sorties. On the 20th October 1942 he was posted to a couple of RAF Transit camps before embarking for the UK arriving there on the 23rd January 1943. Whilst awaiting his return to the UK he was promoted to WO1. on the 1st January 1943.

On returning to the UK he was posted to 22 OTU for non-operational duty where he was employed there as a Flying Instructor. On the 13th April 1943 he undertook an Instructors’ Course at No. 3 Flying Instructors School (Advanced) (2 FIS), at RAF Babdown Farm in Gloucestershire. During this time at the OTU he was appointed to a commission and promoted to J18049 Plt Off. on the 26th June 1943 and on the 26th December 1943 he was promoted to Fg Off.

On the 18th January 1944 he was posted to 61 (RCAF) Base at RAF Topcliffe in Yorkshire awaiting a conversion course on the Lancaster. On the 27th January 1944 he and his crew were posted to No. 1666 (Mohawk) Conversion Unit (CU) at RAF Wombleton in North Yorkshire.

On completion of the course on the 15th February 1944 he and his crew were posted back to 61 (RCAF) Base and then to No. 408 (Goose) Squadron, RCAF at Linton-on-Ouse in Yorkshire. On the 16th May 1944 he was promoted to Flt Lt. On completion of his 2nd Operational tour he had flown a total of 108.55 operational hours, comprising 22 sorties.

Acting Flt Lt. Pullar was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 408 Sqn, RCAF (London Gazette 22nd August 1944).

Citation reads:

‘Flight Lieutenant Pullar is a keen and efficient pilot whose example of courage and resolution has been well reflected in fine fighting spirt of his crew. He has attacked many heavily defended and his successes are an excellent tribute to his ability and tenacity. He has set a fine example to all.’

Flt Lt. Pullar had now completed three (3) tours, two (2) operational and one (1) non-operational. His total flying time was approximately 1250 hours, 367 of which were operational.

On the 10th July 1944 he was posted to RCAF “R” Depot for repatriation to Canada as he was not required in the UK for further duties.

On the 7th August 1944 he arrived at No. 1 Repatriation Depot at RCAF Station Rockcliffe and on the 8th October 1944 he was posted to 168 (HT) Squadron.

(7) Douglas Haig Sharpe enlisted in the RCAF on the 21st April 1942. R83813 Aircraftman Class 2 (AC2) Sharpe was assessed to be trained as a Pilot with Air Observer as the alternative. He was posted to No.2 Manning Depot (2 MD) at RCAF Station Brandon in Manitoba the same day.

He was than posted to No.7 Bombing and Gunnery School (7 BGS) RCAF Station Paulson in Manitoba on the 21st May 1941 awaiting a training course. On the 21st June 1941 he was posted to No.4 Initial Training School (4 ITS) at RCAF Station Edmonton in Alberta and joined Course No. 29.

On the 26th July 1942 he moved over to No.16 Elementary Flying Training School (16 EFTS) at RCAF Station Edmonton and joined Course No. 34. After the 20 hour flying tests it was deemed that he had not grasped the principles of flying and was not recommended for further pilot training.

On the 12th September 1941 LAC. Sharpe was posted to the Composite Training School (CTS) RCAF Station Trenton in Ontario awaiting a course for his Air Observer training.

On the 27th October 1941 he was posted to No.10 Air Observer School (10 AOS) at RCAF Station Chatham in New Brunswick and joined Course No.36. On completion of the Observer element of the training on the 2nd February 1942 he was posted to No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School (9 BGS) at RCAF Station Mont Joli in Quebec where he joined Course No.36

On completion of both elements of his training he was awarded the Air Observer Brevet on the 28th March 1942 and promoted to Sgt. On the 30th March 1942 he was posted to No. 2 Air Navigation School (2 ANS) at RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge in New Brunswick and joined the Advance Air Observers Training Course No.37. Upon graduating he was appointed to a commission and promoted to J11485 Plt Off. on the 27th April 1942.

Posted to No.31 Operational Training Unit (31 OTU) RCAF Station Debert in Nova Scotia on the 17th May 1942. He was then posted the RAF Ferry Command on the 1st July 1942.

Promoted to Fg Off. on the 27th October 1942. He was recategorized from Air Observer to Navigator “B” on the 2nd June 1943.

He was posted to #45 Group Repatriation Depot on the 25th October 1943 then to the Repatriation Depot RCAF Station Rockcliffe. On the 19th November 1943 he was posted onto 168 (HT) Squadron. He was promoted to acting Flt Lt. on the 1st August 1944.

His younger brother Fg Off. George Harold Sharpe J13612 RCAF Age 22 was KiA on the 18th August 1944 while conducting an Armed recce sortie. His 438 (Wild Cat) Squadron, RCAF Typhoon IB MN347 F3:Z was seen to crash after being hit by Flak.

(8) William Laurel Wilson enlisted in the RCAF on the 10th July 1942 and was appointed to a an immediate commission and promoted to C12659 Plt Off.

He was posted to the School of Administration at Trenton in Ontario and joined the Admin Course No. 34, commencing on the 28th August 1942 until the 3rd October 1942.

After completing his training he was posted on temporary assignment to a number of RCAF training establishments and squadrons during which time he was promoted to acting Fg Off. on the 10th January 1943 and then to temporary Fg Off. on the 15th January 1943.

He was posted to 168 (HT) squadron at RCAF Station Rockcliffe on the 14th March 1944.

Whilst with the squadron he was promoted to acting Flt Lt. on the 1st August 1944.

Flt Lt. Wilson had two brother’s both of whom served with the RCAF:

Flt Sgt. Robert Edwin Wilson R67917 RCAF Age 26. He and his crew were posted MiA on the night of the 22nd/23rd April 1942 when his 408 (Goose) Sqn, RCAF Hampden I AE237 EQ:X, on a “Gardening” operation. The four (4) crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial;

Flt Lt. Maxwell Clare ‘Max’ Wilson J7748 RCAF Age 26. He was the Pilot aboard 426 (Thunderbird) Sqn, RCAF, Lancaster II LL721 which was shot down by a German night-fighter on an operation to Berlin, Germany on the night of 27th/28th January 1944. He and two (2) of his crew became PoWs, three (3) KiA and one (1) MiA.

Burial details:

Above: Ottawa War Memorial

Crew:

Flt Lt. Horace Brougham Hillcoat, AFC, AFM. Ottawa War Memorial, Panel 3, Column 3. Born on the 17th March 1913 in Amhurst, Nova Scotia. Son of Harry and Maude (née Bent) Hillcoat both of whom predeceased him. Husband of Phyllis Verna (née Brown) Hillcoat of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Flt Lt. Alfred John De Laune Ruttledge, DFC and Bar. Ottawa War Memorial, Panel 3, Column 3. Born on the 22nd June 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Son of John Hugheson De Laune (deceased in April 1942) and Daisy (née Bagley - deceased March 1917) Ruttledge. Husband of Marguerite Isabel (née Watt) Ruttledge of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada.

Flt Lt. Frederick Blair La Brish, AFC. Ottawa War Memorial, Panel 3, Column 3. Born on the 17th June 1913 in Montreal, Quebec. Son of Francis Edward and Kate Manson (née O’Hara) La Brish of Montreal, Province of Quebec. Husband of Winifred Clare (née Hayson) La Brish of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Fg Off. Cecil Alexander Dickson, AFC. Ottawa War Memorial, Panel 3, Column 3. Born on the 17th December 1920 Edmonton, Alberta. Son of Thomas Allan and Ethellina (née Phillp) Dickson of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Cpl. Robert Emerson Bruce. Ottawa War Memorial, Panel 3, Column 5. Born on the 24th September 1923 Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. Son of Henry Sutton and Westa Alberta (née Pearce) Bruce of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Passengers:

Above: The Pullar Memorial at the renamed "Pullar Lake" Alberta, Canada. (courtesy Airman's Memorial Cairns Committee, Royal Canadian Legion, McGrane Branch No 28, Lac La Biche, Alberta and also to Geographical Names Board of Canada).

Flt Lt. William Stewart Pullar, DFC. Ottawa War Memorial, Panel 3, Column 3. Born on the 1st February 1918 in Delia, Alberta. Son of Andrew Clyde and Verna Elizabeth (née Smith) Pullar of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Flt Lt. Douglas Haig Sharpe. Ottawa War Memorial, Panel 3, Column 3. Born on the 6th January 1916 in Settler, Alberta. Son of Whip Wilbro and Emma Elizabeth (née Taylor) Sharpe of Settler, Alberta. Husband of Nancy Lees (née Corbett) Sharpe of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Flt Lt. William Laurel Wilson. Ottawa War Memorial, Panel 3, Column 4. Born on the 5th August 1908 in Petrolia, Ontario. Son of William B. and Cora Wilson of Petrolia, Ontario. Husband of Marion Christine (née Thain) Wilson of Chatham, Ontario, Canada.

Aircrew Remembered are working very closely with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Manitoba geographical names project and the Saskatchewan Tourism Parks, culture and sports department to show with the aid of Google maps where many of the WW2 Aviators are being remembered.

The report has been reviewed and updated with new information and photographs by Aircrew Remembered (Aug 2026). Addition of link to AE237 archive report (Aug 2026).

Other sources listed below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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