Dakota RCAF Airplane Crash

• b- Jan 1, 1917, in Oyen, Alberta, Canada, d- Age 32,
• Svc Number- J20727
• Educated in Oyen AB. Employed at Turner Valley AB, Oil Field Worker, for 2 years, before enlisting in 1941.
• Stationed in Calgary, where he received his wings, in July 1942.
• Posted overseas, August 1942, Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross in the Fall of 1943,
• Buried in Royal Canadian Legion Cemetery, Little Mountain, BC
• Son of Thomas Lees, b- Scotland, and Susan Lees, nee Welsh, b- in Scotland, both living in Chilliwack/Abbotsford, B.C. in 1946
• Husband of Evelyn Gladys Lees, Abbotsford, B.C.

• b- Nov 4, 1917 in Holden, Alberta, Canada, d- Age 28,
• Svc Number- J17000
• Occupation Miner when he enlisted.
• Distinguished Flying Cross, The Distinguished Flying Medal, was presented by the King of England, April 1943, Went overseas in Nov 1941, Completed 2 tours of duty over enemy territory, 48 sorties without a scratch. June 21, 1945 returned to Canada.
• Buried in Plot 6 Row 1, Holden Cemetery, Holden, Alberta, Canada
• Father- Albert Thomas Stewart, b- Dec 2, 1875, in Plattville, Wisconsin, USA, d- Apr 8, 1936, Chicago, IL, USA. He Immigrated to Canada in 1904, Grain Buyer in Holden in 1921. Buried in Britton, Marshall, S. Dakota in one source and Holden in another.
• Mother- Lottie May Margaret Stewart, nee Brisbin (Brisban?), b- 1875 in Listowel, ON., d- 1934 in Holden?, buried in Holden AB.
• Both parents were deceased when he enlisted.
• Next of kin- Brother- Frank Brisbin Stewart of Camrose AB, b- 1913, d- 1980, buried in Valleyview Cemetery, Camrose AB, He was the BA Oil Agent in Camrose at the time of the accident.

Per Inquiry Reports below, he was Captain to Minot, then he switched with F.O. Pond, for the trip to Estevan.

• b- Dec 1, 1919 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, d- Age 27,
• Svc Number- J18919,
• (Headstone says Flt. Lt.) Distinguished Flying Cross, summer 1945,
• Buried in Elmwood Cemetery, 88 Hespeler Ave, Winnipeg, MB.
• Educated at Lord Roberts, and St. John's Tech.
• He worked at the City's Time Keeper Office when he enlisted June 1941 in the RCAF.
• Received his Pilot's wings, Dec 1941, after training in Brandon, High River and McLeod.
• Went overseas, Dec 31, 1941, He was a Veteran of almost 4 years service overseas.
• He had made over 82 operational trips in “J” for Jig, a Bomber Command Lancaster.
• While he held the Rank of Flight Lieutenant, he was awarded the DFC.
• He spent the remainder of his term overseas, as an Instructor.
• Returned to Canada June 1945, and was with the Ferry Squadron after that time.
• Father- Edward Marsh Jordan, who lived at 238 Talbot Ave., Winnipeg, MB.
• Mother- Annie Jordan
• Brother- Edward M. Jordan, Winnipeg, MB
• Brother- Ted Jordan, Martin Ave. Winnipeg MB.

• b- Feb 26, 1918 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, d- Age 28,
• Svc Number- J51726
• Buried in St. James Cemetery, Kemptville ON
• Enlisted in the RCAF the 2nd day of the War.
• Living in Toronto, ON at the time, Mechanic when he enlisted.
• Served with Coastal Command out of Gander Nfld., then At Rockcliffe from Apr 1946.
• Wife- Bernice Mae Perry, nee Rosatte, Belleville, Ont., married in 1943. b- 1922, d- 1978
• son- John William “Jack” Perry (Photos courtesy from him)
• Nephew of Mrs. R. J. Torgensen, 40 Kingston Row,
• Grandson of Mrs. W. P. Perry, 37 Kingston Row
• Father- Melville Joseph Perry of Kemptville
• Mother- Olga Perry, of Hawarden, SK
• Article from Times Colonist 2013

• b-July 22, 1923 in Carman, Alberta, Canada, d- Age 23,
• Svc Number- J19103
• He was a member of the Manitoba Mounted Rifles when he enlisted.
• Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Carman MB
• Father- Peter McIntyre, Carman, MB., b- Glasgow, Scotland.
• Mother- Mary Ann McIntyre, nee Robertson, b- Aberdeen, Scotland

• b- May 1, 1923 in Glen Bain, Saskatchewan, Canada, d- Age 23,
• Svc Number- J28638
• Home- Glen Bain SK
• Buried in Hawley Cemetery (Clay), Plot 24 Row 2 Grave 1, Minnesota, USA
• -Father- Henry Sylfest Brandser, b- Aug 18, 1879, Hamden, Fargo, Becker Co., MN, USA.
• -Mother- Lillian Adell Brandser, nee Burns, both from Glen Bain, SK.
• Brandser Island in Northern Saskatchewan named after him.

Photos above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk
Photo submitted by Lois Wilson, July 2, 2020

• b- Oct 4, 1922, in Lashburn, Saskatchewan, Canada, d- Age 23,
• Svc Number- J92977
• Home- RockGlen SK
• Buried Sept 20, 1946, in Woodlawn Cemetery, Block K Lot 121 Grave 12955, Saskatoon SK
• Father- Evelyn Thomas of Saskatoon SK., b- England
• Mother- Eugénie Barbara Thomas, nee Watson, 652 Saskatchewan Cres. E.,Saskatoon, SK., b-Scotland
• Thomas Lake in Northern SK named after him
• Oct 15, 1924, Max was age 2, travelling to be with his father in Long Beach CA.
• He was with his mother Eugenie, and brother, Richard Thomas
• Uncle Gordon Watson lived in Lashburn SK at that time.

• b- Nov 19, 1919, in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada, d- Age 24,
• Svc Number- J14865
• Home- Marshall SK., near Lloydminster SK.
• Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Block K Lot 122 Grave 12956, Saskatoon, SK
• Wife- Mrs. Z. Maxine Turtle, nee Jones, 26 Hazel Ave., Ottawa and Saskatoon SK..
  • Maxine daughter of A. B. Jones of Lilac
  • They had a daughter Eloise who married a Jack Caverson. She became a Nurse.
  • Maxine remarried Len's brother Bob Turtle
  • Maxine settled in PEI.
• Leonard and Maxine were married May 1942 in Ruddell United Church, North Battleford
• Jan 9, 1946 Leonard was part of the Mail Squadron, delivering mail overseas.
• He left his car on a street in Ottawa, and baffled the police for a while.
• Father- Alfred Ernest Turtle b- Birkenhead, England,
• Mother- Kathleen Isabelle Turtle, b- Souris MB., both living in Cavalier
• Turtle Island in Northern SK named after him

Signature above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk

His photo above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk

• b- Mar 14, 1912 in London, England, d- Age 34,
• Svc Number- J29113
• Immigrated when he was 5 months old.
• Living in Summerside PEI when he enlisted, Occupation a Trader.
• Buried in Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal QC, Sec. G.944. Grave 548
• -Wife- Mrs. Constance Marie Pond, Montreal.
• -Son of John Pond and Annie Pond, nee Turner, of Montreal
• The Oldest of all the men on board

Per Inquiry reports below, he was the Captain of the plane from Minot to Estevan, taking over from F.O. Stewart

His photo above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk

• b- Dec 1, 1921 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, d- Age 24,
• Svc Number- J15733
• Clerk when he enlisted
• Buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto ON.
• -Wife- Kitty Marie Jackson, Lansing, Ont.
• -Father- George Richmond Jackson, b- in Winnipeg, MB
• -Mother- Isobel Jackson nee McKenzie, of Winnipeg, MB

His photo above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk

• b- Jan 14, 1917 Brighton, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada, d- Age 29,
• Svc Number- J6150
• Student of Engineering when he enlisted.
• -Wife- Mrs. Helen Isabelle Proctor, 248 Heath Street West, Toronto ON.
• Buried in Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto, ON
• awarded Distinguished Flying Cross, Feb 2, 1943.
• Served overseas, and was commended for his Navigator Bomb aiming ability, on enemy targets.
• -Father- Charles Russell Weller Proctor, b- Mar 16, 1871 in Brighton, Northumberland Co. ON, d- 1930
• -Mother- Mona Louise Wright, b- 1884, d- 1974
• -Grandfather- John Edward Proctor, b- Mar 29, 1824, d- 1911

• b- Dec 27, 1917 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, d- Age 28,
• Svc Number- J16223
• Occupation Repairman when he enlisted.
• buried Pinecrest Cemetery, Ottawa, ON., Plot South half 597. Sec. D. Grave 1.
• -Wife- Mary Beryl W. Cuthbert, Ottawa, ON.
• 2 Memorials 1947 says his name was Maurice C. Cuthbert, one signed Mother and Dad Whiting, other his wife Beryl.
• -Father- John Cuthbert, b- ON
• -Mother- Edith Eliza Cuthbert, nee Husband, b- Lennox Co, ON, both living in Vancouver BC

His Picture has been carved,
I don't have a copy available yet for online use.

• b- June 22, 1923 in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Canada, d- Age 23,
• Svc Number- J85255
• Buried in Riverview Cemetery, Kamsask, SK., Plot 1. Block 6. Grave 7
• -Wife- Amelia E. Andrews, Kamsack, SK., b: July 13, 1922 in South Ockendon, Essex
• -Father- George Sommerville Coppin
• -Mother- Elizabeth Morden
• Coppin Lake in NW SK named after him

Note*- Clifford Somerville Coppin's name was corrected by his daughter, Valerie Palmer Sept 12, 2006
I am trying to contact her again for a photo of her father.

• b- Mar 20, 1918 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada, d- Age 28,
• Svc Number- J11048
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Home- Yorkton SK, Buried in Yorkton Cemetery, Yorkton, SK., Block 11. Lot 41. Grave A.
• Wife- Beryl Kirsch, 174 Tupper Avenue, Yorkton, SK.
• Father- Henry Kirsch of Yorkton SK
• Kirsch Lake in Northern SK named after him.

His photo above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk

• b- Aug 22, 1923, Mobberly, Cheshire, England, d- Age 23,
• Svc Number- J20191
• October 6, 1944 awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
• - No.427 Squadron
• -Wife- Mrs. L. E. J. Murphy, Ottawa
• Discrepancy- one record says husband of Delys D Murphy, nee Worth of Charlottetown PEI,
• Son of Squadron leader Ernest Eric Murphy and Edith Gladys V. Murphy of Britannia Heights,
• Buried in Pinecrest Cemetery, Plot 598 Sec D Grave 1, Ottawa ON.
• Father- Ernest Eric Murphy, b- Cardiff, Wales.
• Mother- Edith Gladys Victoria Murphy, nee Ranson, b- Campbridge, England
• Memorial notice 1947, signed Patricia, Bridget, and Jacqueline, another signed his Mom and Dad, and brothers Eric and Kenneth
• Aug 1944 he piloted an aircraft of a bomber force detailed to attack Forte De Nieppe, his airplane sustained severe damage but he still flew it back to base. He had completed many sorties by this time.

• b- Oct 10, 1915 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, d- Age 30,
• Svc Number- J15301
• D.F.C. and bar, Family Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
• No. 405 Squadron
• Buried in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Kitchener, ON
• Father- William Weicker, b- Tavistock, ON.
• Mother- Emma E. Weicker, nee Youngblood, b-Tavistock, ON, both living in North Kitchener, ON.
• Photo he sent to his mother, courtesy his nephew David Weicker, Nov 2017

His Signature documents above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk

His photo above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk

• b- Nov 25, 1917, in Glasgow, Scotland, d- Age 28,
• Svc Number- J12537
• Family Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross
• - No.421 Squadron
• He came to Canada age 10, completed his education in Calgary AB.
• He was a School Teacher at Rocky Mountain House, AB. before the war.
• enlisted in the Army in 1940, and then transferred to the RCAF a year later.
• He graduated from Uplands, as a Pilot, and Instructed at Dunville ON.
• June 1943 he was posted overseas, returning to Canada Aug 1944.
• First to 176 Ferry Squadron, then 124 Ferry Squadron.
• He was checked out to fly 23 different types of aircraft.
• -Wife- Mrs. Rose A. McRoberts, 288 Yale Avenue, Winnipeg, and Sudbury ON. and 2 children.
• -Son of Henry Hunter McRoberts, and Jessie Park McRoberts of Calgary;
• Buried in Burnsland Cemetery, Lot 105. Block 11. Sec. G., Calgary AB.

Vitantos Luke Kirco

Kirco and his sister from newspaper

Photo of V. L. Kirco, from newspaper
3 Photos above, courtesy Major Victor Tyerman

• The only Non-Pilot in the Group.
• b- Oct 18, 1925, Weston, Ontario, Canada, d- Age 20,
• Svc Number- R276396
• Machinist when he enlisted.
• Buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Range 45, Sec 18, Grave 121, Toronto ON.
• -Sister- Miss Mary Kirko, Toronto.
• -Son of Kaiton Kirko, b- Vilma Russia, and Victoria Kirko, nee Bloomberg, b- Kauna, Russia, of Toronto

Photo of his signature above from Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, sent in by Anne Gafiuk