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Allan, James Davidson (Flying Officer)

Killed in Flying Accident 1945-January-20

Birth Date: 1921-December-15 (age 23)

Son of Samuel and Catherine Allan, of Toronto, Ontario.

Husband of Evelyn Jean Allan, of St. Thomas, Ontario.

Home: Toronto, Ontario

Service
RCAF
Unit
4 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School
Base
Fingal, Ontario, 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/29114
Flying Officer Allan, LACs W. Neville (RAAF), and L. Watt (RAAF) were all killed when Bolingbroke aircraft 10019 crashed four miles south of Inwood, Ontario.

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Bolingbroke Mk. IVT Serial: 10019
  2. Bolingbroke Mk. IVT Serial: 10213

All the aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

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

Home
Google MapToronto, Ontario
Burial
Google MapPine Hills Cemetery
Sec J Lot 137

Bolingbroke 10019

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

last update: 2021-12-29 16:53:49

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10019

Transferred to No. 1 AC on 15 Jan 1945. Assigned to No. 4 B&GS, Fingal, ON. On 20 Jan 1945, this a/c collided in mid-air with #10213 and crashed while flying in formation for a gunnery exercise; The crew, Flying Officer J. Allan and trainee AG LACs L. Watt and W. Neville (both RAAF) were killed. #10213 landed safely, and Warrant Officer Class 2 R. Eaton and two student AGs were unhurt. This was the fifth such collision involving RCAF Bolingbrokes.. Some of this information from plaque on Cenotaph at Fingal.

1942-11-12 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
1944-March-13 Accident: 4 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Govier | Jubenville | Kendall | Lampart | Magee | Mallette | Paton | Pollard | Robinson
1944-November-30 Accident: 4 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Harper
1945-January-20 Accident: 4 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Inwood Ontario Names: Allan | Eaton | Jarvis | Mullins | Neville | Watt
1945-02-28 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce by No. 6 Repair Depot 2019-08-20

Bolingbroke 10213

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10213

Delivered with Mercury XX STAR engines. Delivered to long term storage with No. 1 TC. Assigned to No. 4 B&GS at Fingal, ONon 4 Jun 1943, arriving there on 25 Jun 1943. On 20 Jan 1945, #10019 collided in mid-air with #10213 while flying in formation for a gunnery exercise. #10019 crashed and Flying Officer J. Allan and trainee AG LACs L. Watt and W. Neville (both RAAF) were killed; #10213 landed safely, Warrant Officer Class 2 R. Eaton and two student AGs were unhurt. This was the fifth such collision involving RCAF Bolingbrokes. The airframe was formally transferred to No. 1 AC on 15 Jan 1945. To No. 6 RD for scrapping on 15 Feb 1945.

1943-05-31 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
1944-May-20 Accident: 4 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Lake Erie Names: Currant | Lowrie | Northgrave | Ogden
1945-January-20 Accident: 4 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Inwood Ontario Names: Allan | Eaton | Jarvis | Mullins | Neville | Watt
1945-02-26 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20

4 BGS (4 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.
NO4 BGS Fingal Ontario

RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Fingal Ontario

Museum Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum - 4 BGS History

General RCAF Fingal Blog

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