Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum logo

Dion, Walter Leon (Warrant Officer 2)

Killed in Action 1943-March-16

Birth Date: 1919-May-11 (age 23)

Home: The Pas, Manitoba

Service
RCAF
Unit
122 Sqn- Squadron
Base
RCAF Stn. Patricia Bay, BC
Rank
Warrant Officer 2
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/116350
122 Composite Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Bolingbroke aircraft lost.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

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

Warrant Officer 2 Walter Leon Dion has no known grave.

Home
Google MapThe Pas, Manitoba

Google MapOttawa War Memorial
Panel 2 Column 4

Bolingbroke 9084

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. IV 9084

To Western Air Command on 16 February 1943, for use in radio calibration work. Crashed into Mill Bay, 7 miles south of Patricia Bay, on 16 March 1943. Crash reported by No. 122 (K) Squadron at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. The crew, Flight Sergeant W. Dion, Flight Sergeant R. Seaker, and Flight Sergeant S. Switzer, were all killed.

1942-02-03 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
1943-March-16 Accident: 122 (COMPOSITE) Squadron Loc: Mill Bay 7 Mile South Of Patricia Bay Names: Dion | Seaker | Switzer
1943-03-31 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20

© Canadian Warplane Heritage 2024

To search on any page:
PC — Ctrl-F
Mac — ⌘-F
Mobile — or …