Aitkens, Ernest Trevor (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1942-December-04

Sergeant Ernest Trevor Aitkens RCAF

Birth Date: 1922-February-08

Born: Vancouver British Columbia

Parents: Son of Ernest G. Aitkens and Vera M. Aitkens, of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Spouse:

Home: Vancouver, British Columbia

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RCAF

Unit

8 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School

Base

RCAF Stn. Lethbridge, Alberta

Rank

Sergeant

Position

Wireless Air Gunner

Service Numbers

R/122006

Home
Google MapVancouver, British Columbia
Final Burial
Google MapMountain View Cemetery
Block 4 Plot 14 Lot 4
Sergeant Aitkens was killed when Fairey Battle aircraft 2070 caught fire in the air and crashed five miles east of the aerodrome at Lethbridge. Sergeant E.L. Williams (RAF) died of injuried sustained in the crash 2 days later. Leading Aircraftman E.W. Armstrong was injured in the crash but appears to have survived.

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry - 1942-12-04

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry - 1942-12-06

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Grave Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave Finadagrave.com

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

Accident Card - Fairey Battle Mk. I serial:2070

This accident involved 1 aircraft on 1942-December-04. Fairey Battle V s/n 2070.

This accident involved 3 people. Aitkens ET, Armstrong EW, Williams EL

This accident had 2 fatalities. Sergeant Ernest Trevor Aitkens RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:R/122006 Battle 2070, Sergeant Enoch Lewis Williams RAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:1314533 Battle 2070

Unit Desciption

8 BGS (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

Royal Canadian Air Force 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

Project 44 BCATP

Unvetted Source Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy