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Rourke, Clyde Burton (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1941-12-14

Birth Date: 1921-01-02 (age 20)

Son of Thomas Burton Rourke and Mary E. Rourke, of Allenford, Ontario.

Home: Allenford, Ontario

Service
RCAF
Unit
31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
Debert, Nova Scotia, Canada
Rank
Sergeant
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
Wireless Air Gunner
Service Numbers
R/90074
31 Operational Training Unit, Debert, Nova Scotia. The crew of Hudson aircraft BW 382 failed to return from a local flying exercise. P/Os M.E. Bird (RAF), K.W. Blyth (RAF), and A. Pickles (RAF) were also killed.

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)

Sergeant Clyde Burton Rourke has no known grave.

Crew on Hudson Mk. III BW382

Lockheed Hudson A-28 A-29 AT-18

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command, but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. They were also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) anti-submarine squadrons. National Air Force Museum of Canada.

YouTube Hudson

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hudson

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications Hudon - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (247), RCAF 400 Squadron (2), Canadian Aircraft Losses (245), Canadian Ferried (1)
last update: 2021-12-21 01:36:53

Hudson Mk. III BW382

With No. 31 Operational Training Unit at Debert, NS. Reported missing on 14 December 1941, while still on RAF books. Had taken off at 18:25 for one hour local flight, last radio contact at 18:29. Wreckage presumed to be from this aircraft washed up on beach at Cape Pleasant, NS (40 miles west of Debert, at the entrance to the Minas Basin off the Bay of Fundy) on 24 December 1941. All 4 crew missing. Allocated to No. 4 Repair Depot for write off, still not located, on 2 February 1942. Note that aircraft could have come down in salt water as close as 6 miles south-west of Debert aerodrome, with wreckage being carried by strong tides through Cobequid Bay to the Minas Basin.
1941-December-13 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Atlantic Ocean Names: Bird | Blyth | Pickles | Rowke
1942-01-26 Taken on Strength paper transfer only 2019-08-20
1942-04-16 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF) (31 Operational Training Unit)

The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour. More information on the RCAF Station at Debert, Nova Scotia can be found at
  • RAF Roundel RCAF.info - Debert, Nova Scotia

  • General History 31 OTU by Maj (Ret) G.D. Madigan

  • General Wall Of Honour NO31 OTU

  • 1941-06-03 Primary Location Debert NS Canada Currently site of Delbert Airport Ident CCQ3

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