Loss of Liberator 3701

[Moose47]

G'day

Here's a short story I did a few years ago about the loss of a Royal Canadian Air Force Liberator.

Cheers...Chris

Loss of R.C.A.F. Liberator 3701

The Aircraft
The ill-fated four-engine general reconnaissance aircraft was built by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Limited at Forth Worth, Texas for the United States Army Air Forces as a B-24D-25-CO Liberator. It was given the U.S.A.A.F. serial number 41-24236. The aircraft was subsequently transferred through Lend-Lease and taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 29th of September 1943. It was given the Royal Air Force designation of Liberator G.R. Mk. V. and R.C.A.F. serial number 3701.

The Last Flight of 3701
At the time of the terrible accident, Liberator 3701 was serving with No. 10 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron based at R.C.A.F. Station Gander, Newfoundland. On the 20th of October 1943, the crew along with a load of passengers going on leave, departed Gander for R.C.A.F. Station Mont Joli, Quebec on a familiarization and transport flight. Take off from Gander was delayed as a result of poor weather at Mont Joli. They later decided to try and make it to R.C.A.F. Station Dorval, Quebec. They departed at 22:16 hours G.M.T. (Greenwich Mean Time). During the course of the flight, the crew acknowledged a signal notifying them that Mont Joli was closed down due to poor meteorological conditions. They did not transmit a position report. At 02:00 hours G.M.T. the crew reported over Mont Joli. They were not heard from again. The aircraft struck Black Mountain at the 2,500-foot level and crashed killing all onboard.

The Casualties

J9147 Flight Lieutenant Joseph Alfred Raymond Poirier
He was the son of J. Aime and Ann M. Poirier, of Kenora, Ontario. Flight Lieutenant Poirier was the pilot of the Liberator. He was only 21 years old and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

J5821 Flight Lieutenant Robert Frank Fisher
He was the son of Steele and Agnes E. Fisher, from Armstrong, British Columbia. Flight Lieutenant Fisher was the 2nd pilot of the Liberator. He was only 22 years old when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

J21297 Flying Officer Steven Andrew Sanderson A.F.M.
He was the son of George and Helen Sanderson, and husband to Marie Sanderson, all of London, Ontario.
Flying Officer Sanderson, a pilot serving with No. 10 (BR) Squadron, was a holder of the Air Force Medal.
He received the medal for his exceptional devotion to duty and superior flying skills while a flying instructor with No. 14 Service Flying Training School at Aylmer, Ontario. On the 17th of October 1941, he successfully force-landed his burning Harvard after ensuring that the student was able to safely bail out. He was only 24 years old when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

J7987 Flying Officer Jay Syver Johntson MiD
He was the son of John Eugene and Florence Johnston, from Sarnia, Ontario. Flying Officer Johnston was a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was Mention in Despatches (MiD) for his part during an attack against a German U-Boat while with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. Flying Officer Johnston was only 21 years old when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R129211 Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Alexander Barabonoff
He was the son of Alexander and Polly Barabonoff, of White Beech, Saskatchewan. W.O.2 was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was only 20 years old when killed and now peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R72936 Warrant Officer 1st Class Franklin Elwood Jenkins
He was the son of Milton Everett and Elizabeth M. Jenkins, of Hill View, Prince Edward Island.
W.O.1 Jenkins was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was only 23 years old when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

J39103 Pilot Officer James Lamont MiD
He was the son of John and Mary Lamont from Abbotsford, British Columbia. Pilot Officer Lamont was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was Mention in Despatches for his actions during an attack against a German U-Boat on the 8th of June 1944 while serving with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. Pilot Officer Lamont was only 23 when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R67673 Warrant Officer 1st Class Jacob Silverstein MiD
He was the son of Samuel and Dana Silverstein from Windsor, Ontario. W.O.1 Silverstein was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was Mention in Despatches for his actions during an attack against a German U-Boat on the 8th of June 1944 while serving with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. W.O.1 Silverstein was only 25 years old when killed and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R72926 Sergeant Eric Morgan Finn
He was the son of Arthur James and Hilda Finn from Toronto, Ontario. Sergeant Finn was an Air Gunner with No. 10 (B) Squadron. He was only 22 years old when killed and
now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R7516 Sergeant William Gordon MacNaughton
He was the son of William and Goldie May MacNaughton from Vallee Junction, Beauce County, Quebec. Sergeant MacNaughton was a Navigator with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was 28 years of age when killed and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R4074 Flight Sergeant Raymond Frank Ware
He was the son of Deighton and Marie Louise Ware, of Vancouver, British Columbia. Flight Sergeant Ware was an Air Gunner with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was 25 years old when killed and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R74645 Sergeant Franklin Hicks Elliott
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Theron Edwin Elliott, of Eugene, Oregon and husband to Isobel Elliott, of Slocan City, British Columbia. Sergeant Elliott was serving with No. 10 (B) Squadron at the time of his death. He was 36 years old at the time of his death and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R51027 Sergeant Stanley Albert Wood
He was the son of Albert and Elizabeth Wood, of Palgrave, Ontario. The 38 year-old Sergeant Wood was an aero engine mechanic with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at the time of his untimely demise. He rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R84899 Corporal Harold David Beattie
He was the son of William A. and Jessie Beattie, of Nash Creek. New Brunswick. Corporal Beattie was serving with No. 10 (BR) Squadron when killed in the flying accident
He was 25 years old when he died in the flying accident and rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R64066 Corporal Alec Clarence Johnston
He was the son of John and Hazel Jane Johnston, of Islington, Ontario and husband to Edithe M. Johnston, from Toronto. Ontario. Corporal Johnston was an aero engine mechanic with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at the time of his death as a result of the flying accident. He was only 22 years old and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R78656 Corporal Harold Kenneth Hambly
He was the son of Howard N. and Jenny Hambly from Woodstock. Ontario. Corporal Hambly was a 24-year-old aero engine mechanic with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at the time of his death. He now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R99167 Corporal Ronald Douglas Marr
He was the son of George Oliver and Mary Florence Marr from Ketepec, New Brunswick. Corporal Marr was an armourer with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at the time of his loss. The 22 year-old now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R207868 Leading Aircraftman Guy Ridgewood PattersonHe was the son of George and Catherine Patterson, of St. Bruno and husband to Jean Bertha Patterson, of Cornwall, Ontario. L.A.C. Patterson was a motor transport operator (driver) at R.C.A.F. Station Gander, Newfoundland when he died in the flying accident. The 27 year-old now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R177329 Leading Aircraftman Albert James Radcliffe
He was the son of John and Ethel Florence Radcliffe from Rivers, Manitoba. L.A.C. Radcliffe was only 21 years old when killed in the flying accident. He now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R150207 Leading Aircraftman Edwin William Read
He was the son of Clifford B. and Ethel Mary Read from Rochester, New York, U.S.A. L.A.C. Read was only 22 years old when killed in the flying accident. He now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

R173349 Leading Aircraftman Charles Laurie Dynes
He was the son of Edgar Vernon and Gladys E. Dynes from Oakville, Ontario. L.A.C. Dynes was an aero engine mechanic with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at R.C.A.F. Station Gander, Newfoundland. He was only 21 years old when killed in the accident. He now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.

[Maynard]

I just stumbled upon this thread. Just thought I'd add a tid bit. The one crewmember missing from the list is my Grandfather. He was the Navigator/Bombardier on Liberator 595.(which downed U341, 1 of 3)since he had no reason to go to mt joli, he stayed in Gander during their leave. He still tells stories with details as if it happened yesterday, and he'll be 93 this February.

[rem1972]

There were 24 men who gave their lives as members of that flight. Missing from your list are; R177329 Leading Aircraftman J. A. J. P. VEILLEUX, age 20. R72026 Sergeant E.M. Finn, age 22. R113408 Warrant Officer Class I W. Howlett, age 22. Finally, my relative. J37357 Pilot Officer Robert William MacDonald, age 21.
Please check this website for some amazing photos taken of the remains. http://www.st-donat.com/photo-avion-a.html

Unfortunately I learned of Robert too late. I was not able to ask my grandparents why they had given the name to my father. I believe my grandfather gave it in memory of his cousin. It is very sobering to read the letter that was sent to his parents. (I requested a copy of his service record.) Visiting the crash site is on my list of things to do.

[Moose47]

G'day rem1972

Thanks for your input.

At the time I assumed that was all the names from the crash cards that I had. I recently came across in the archives an additional two pages with the missing names. I never thought to post them.

Cheers...Chris