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Esselmont, Richard Donald (Pilot Officer)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-July-27

Birth Date: 1921-November-04 (age 21)

Son of Robert John and Armentice Angaline Esselmont, of Revelstoke, British Columbia.

Home: Kamloops, British Columbia

Service
RCAF
Unit
7 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School
Base
Paulson, Manitoba, Canada
Rank
Pilot 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
Bomb Aimer
Service Numbers
J/25347
Bolingbroke aircraft crashed.

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 MapKamloops, British Columbia
Burial
Google MapPleasant Street Cemetery
Lot 1 Plot 11 Block P North Sec

Bolingbroke 9944

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 9944

Assigned to 7 B&G School, Paulson, MB. On 27 Jul 1943, the a/c dived vertically into the ground from a steep turn; possibly as the Pilot and Bombing Instructor (a 'washed out' trainee pilot) were changing places in air; the crew, Warrant Officer Class 2 R. Mathers (Pilot), Pilot Officer R. Esselmont (BI), and trainees, Leading Aircraftman P Trudel and Leading Aircraftman (RNZAF) N. Glenday were all killed.

1942-08-13 Taken on Strength 2022-01-01
1943-July-27 Accident: 7 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Esselmont | Glenday | Mathers | Trudel
1943-08-20 Struck off Strength Cat “A” write-off; reduced to spares and produce 2022-01-01

7 BGS (7 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 Roundel RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Paulson Manitoba

General BCATP History - 7 BGS

Museum Manitoba Historical Society - Paulson Airport

General Staff Pilots 7 BGS Paulson MB

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