LeClare Allerthorn Walker should be on this group photo.
But he is not. LeClare Allerthorn Walker was shot down on August 19, 1942.
Collection Robert Brookes
LeClare Allerthorn Walker’s biography is on this blog for you to read.
20 pilots pose for posterity after August 19, 1942. 8 have been identified. I knew some of them but Doug Banks found some more.
One of them looked familiar…
Collection Fred Turner
From this…
To this…
To this for now.
Stephen Nickerson commented on William Thompson Lane.
It was interesting to read that the 403 was visited by W/C Ford the day P/O W.T. Lane was missing. On March 13th, 1943, while carrying out an escort assignment to American B-17s, Ford’s Spitfire was suffering engine trouble on the return leg of this mission. He ordered the squadron to return to base immediately because the American bombers’ C/O did not take his fighter escorts limited flying range while flying over France that day. P/O Lane who was acting as (Red 4) stayed with Ford while the rest of the 403 left the area. Lane had consumed more fuel then the rest in the section because he was acting as tail in Charlie. Fortunately, for Ford his engine recovered and Lane warned him of enemy aircraft attacking. Lane received several hits to his fighter in protecting his leader before both escaped. I’m sure W/C Ford was upset to hear that Lane was missing the day he came to visit his old squadron.
William Thompson Lane is in the back row, second from the right. On the extreme right is Fred Turner.
More on this picture later…
Courtesy Doug Banks
1941 Fred Turner climbing into Hawker Hurricane Mk.I at Debden
June 1941 Frank Picula missing May 42; Ross Tees interned in Eire and Myself
18 June 1941 3 Squadron Course No.5 RCAF 52 O.T.U. Debden
18 June 1941 3 Squadron Course No.5 RCAF 52 O.T.U. Debden
June 1941 Bill and I (Bill is Dad’s Brother) at Salsbury Plain
June or July 1941 Hawker Huricane Mk.I No. 52 OTU Debden
June or July 1941 Hawker Huricane Mk.I No. 52 OTU Debden
June or July 1941 Hawker Huricane Mk.I No. 52 OTU Debden
June or July 1941 Hawker Huricane Mk.I No. 52 OTU Debden
June 1941 Sgt. Picula, Tees and Moran feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square London
June 1941 Sgt Pilots A. Moran and F. Picula Uxbridge
June or July 1941 Hawker Huricane Mk.I No. 52 OTU Debden
July 1941 Hurricanes at Debden
July 1941 Miles Master
July 1941 Miles Master
July 1941 Miles Master
June 1941, RAF Debden Hurricane Mk. I
June of July 1941 Hawker Hurricane Mk. I No. 52 OTU Debden
June 1941 Sergeants Jimmy Dow, Tees and Moran feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square, London
Fred Turner’s collection
Summerside PEI #9 SFTS
In memory of
Pilot Officer
John Cayley Wilson
November 9, 1941
About Bill Learning
Learning, William J (F/O RAF-WWII) – Passed peacefully away at home on Tuesday, October 26th, 2010, William James (Bill) Learning. Age 88 years. Predeceased by his wife Phyllis (Jan 2008), parents Ronald and Maude, brother Don and Doug, sister Valda Williams. Left with fond and loving memories are his 3 children Jim (Joan), Denise (Wayne Smith), Derek (Susan); 8 grandchildren: Tina, Amy, Derek (Leslie), Jeff and Andrea Learning, Jennifer, Marc (Bonita) and Pearl Learning, Sheila Lane and Joyce Lane; Long time friends Olga Fardy, Noble and Ida Baird (Gander), Rev. Ray and Shirley Cole (Grand Falls); as well as a number of family and friends. Resting at Barrett’s Funeral Home 328 Hamilton Avenue, on Wednesday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm, on Thursday 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Funeral service 2pm on Friday, October 29th, 2010, from Barrett’s Chapel. Interment to follow at The Field Of Honour, Mount Pleasasnt Cemetery. Bill was a longstanding member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Gander and St. John’s, 150th RCAF (North Atlantic) Wing, 125th (Nfld Squadron) and Allied Air Force RAF, Commercial Travelers Association and the Masonic Lodge (Gander) Branch #16. As expressions of sympathy donations in his memory may be made to the 150 Wing Memorial Scholarship or charity of ones choice. Please visit http://www.barretts.ca to sign the memorial guest book.
