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Heacock, John Donald (Flying Officer)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-July-18

Birth Date: 1919-January-26 (age 24)

Born: Calgary Alberta

Son of Alva E. Heacock and Bertha Elizabeth Heacock, of Edmonton; husband of Helen A. L. Heacock, of Edmonton.

Husband of Helen A. L. Heacock, of Edmonton.

Home: Edmonton, Alberta

Service
RCAF
Unit
8 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School
Base
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Rank
Flying Officer
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
J/9670
Bolingbroke aircraft 9906 was engaged in an L and E test flight when it crashed then exploded and burned in a wheat field thirteen miles south of the station aerodrome. F/O J.D. Heacock, Cpl. W.A. Newell, LAC C.S. Wise, and AC H.M. Pattison were killed.

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry – 1943-07-18

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Find-A-Grave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Crew on Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 9906

Bristol Bolingbroke

(Umeyou Photo)
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. IV, RCAF (Serial No. 9118), coded BK-V, No. 115 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 1942.

The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft and trainer used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a license-built version of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber.

In 1935, the British Air Ministry issued Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance/light bomber to replace the Avro Anson. Bristol proposed the Type 149, based on its Blenheim Mk I, with Bristol Aquila engines to give greater range. While the Air Ministry rejected this proposal, a Blenheim Mk I, retaining its Mercury VIII engines, was converted as a Type 149 (Blenheim Mk III) for the general reconnaissance role.The nose was lengthened to provide more room for the bombardier, with the upper left surface of the nose being scooped out to maintain pilot visibility during takeoff and landing.

The longer range also fulfilled a Canadian requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft. Consequently, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) of Quebec started production of the Blenheim Mk IV as the Bolingbroke (the originally intended name for the Blenheim IV). This type was nicknamed the "Bolly". After a small run of aircraft constructed to British specifications, as the Bolingbroke Mk I, Fairchild switched production to the Bolingbroke Mk IV with Canadian and American instruments and equipment. These versions also included anti-icing boots and a dinghy. One of the early Mk IV variants was the Bolingbroke Mk IVW which was powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior engines. Incapable of maintaining altitude on one engine, the normal bomb load was reduced to 500 pounds on these aircraft to compensate for the low engine power. The most-produced variant was the Bolingbroke Mk IVT trainer, of which 457 were completed. A total of 626 Bolingbrokes were produced. Wikipedia

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Bolingbroke Bomber

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

YouTube Bolingbroke Bomber WWII

Kestrek Publications Bolingbroke - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (626), RCAF 400 Squadron (3), Canadian Aircraft Losses (43)
last update: 2021-12-29 16:53:49

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 9906

Transferred to No. 4 TC on 13 Jul 1942 and assigned to 8 B&GS in Lethbridge, AB. On 18 Jul 1943, a Cat "A" crash resulted when control lost (believed after engine cut out), and the a/c spun into ground and was destroyed by fire. The crew, Flying Officer J. Heacock, Cpl W. Newell, LAC C. Wise, and AC1 H. Pattison, were all killed.
1942-06-23 Taken on Strength 2021-12-31
1943-06-14 Struck off Strength Cat “A” write-off; reduced to spares and produce 2021-12-31
1943-July-18 Accident: 8 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Heacock | Newell | Pattison | Wise

8 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School (8 Bomb and Gunnery School)

The Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS) offered instruction in the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery to Air Observers, Bomb Aimers, and Wireless Air Gunners. These schools required large areas to accommodate their bombing and gunnery ranges, and were often located near water. The Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke, and Westland Lysander were the standard aircraft used at B&GS schools.
RCAF Lethbridge AB

Established in 1940 at the present site of Lethbridge Airport CYQL.

More information on the RCAF Station at Lethbridge AB can be found at

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Lethbridge

  • Museum Bomber Command Museum Of Canada

  • Museum Vintage Wings - Ghosts Of Alberta

  • Museum Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum - 8 BGS

    • 1941-11-01 Primary Location Lethbidge AB Canada Current sit of Lethbridge Airport CYQL

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