Bates, Michael Joseph

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-01-29

Birth Date: 1923-August-08

Born:

Benjamin & Essie Haynes Bates

Home: Port au Port, Newfoundland (parents)

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Base

RCAF Stn. Debert, Nova Scotia

Rank

Sergeant

Position

Sergeant

Service Numbers

R/183305

Home
Google MapPort au Port, Newfoundland (parents)
First Burial
Google MapOttawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario
31 Operational Training Unit, Debert, Nova Scotia. Hudson VI aircraft FK 547 failed to return from a training exercise. Sergeant M.J. Bates (RCAF)(Nfld), Sergeant EJ Bodell (RCAF), Sergeant W Clark (RAF) and Sergeant W Harrison (RAF) missing, believed killed. No crew member has a known grave.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

www.findagrave.com

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Hudson Mk. VI Serial: FK547

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

Findagrave.com

Hudson FK547

Sergeant Bates, Michael Joseph (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-January-29
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Sergeant Bodell, Edwin John (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-January-29
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Male Head

Sergeant Clark, Edwin John (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1944-January-29
cemetery unknown

Male Head

Sergeant Harrison, W (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1944-January-29
cemetery unknown

Lockheed Hudson A-28 A-29 AT-18

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.
lockheed_hudson.jpg image not found

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

Wikipedia Wikipedia Hudson

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrel Publications Hudon - Kestrel Publications

31 OTU (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

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

General Wall Of Honour NO31 OTU

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

Hudson FK547

Hudson Mk. VI FK547

Used by No. 31 OTU at Debert, NS. The a/c had a Cat "B" crash on 11 Feb 1943 when the a/c swung on take-off and crashed. To Clark Ruse Aircraft at Moncton, NB, 20 Aug to 24 Nov 1943. Back to EAC when completed. Reported missing from Derbert on 29 Jan 1944 during an night operational training flight. The four-man crew consisting of Flight Sergeant W. Harrison (pilot), Flight Sergeant W. Clark (nav), Flight Sergeant W.J. Bates (WAG) and Flight Sergeant W.J. Bodell (WAG) all perished. Allocated to No. 4 Repair Depot on 15 Feb 1944 for write off

1942-09-25 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1943-February-11 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bradley | Humphries | Moore
1943-February-11 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bradley | Humphries | Moore
1944-January-29 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: A/C Missing Names: Bates | Bonell | Clark | Harrison
1944-03-24 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20