Harris, William Ward
Killed in Flying Accident 1942-12-16
Birth Date: 1920-April-16
Born: Edgerton Ohio USA
Orlo Ward & Belle Harris
Home: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (parents)
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: Unknown
Service
RCAF
Unit
32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
RCAF Stn. Patricia Bay, BC
Rank
Pilot Officer
Position
Pilot Officer
Service Numbers
J/14661
First Burial
Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Usa
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
www.findagrave.comThis incident involved multiple aircraft:
- Anson Mk. I Serial: N9560
All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.
Anson N9560
Avro Anson
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Museum's Anson Mk. V was built by MacDonald Brothers in Winnipeg in 1944. It flew with No. 7 Photographic Wing and No. 414 Squadron in Ottawa on photo survey work until the late 1940s. In 1956, it was purchased by INCO and used for mineral surveying until 1980, when it was donated to the Museum. The exterior is painted in the yellow colour common to all BCATP trainers and is in its same wartime RCAF markings.
The Avro Anson was known by a number of nicknames including "Faithful Annie" or "Flying Greenhouse". It was the first aircraft to be flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force to have a retractable undercarriage, which was a comparative novelty in 1936. In 1940, a Canadian government owned company, Federal Aircraft Limited, was created in Montreal to manufacture the Anson for Canadian use. Nearly 3,000 Anson aircraft were produced and, in the early days of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), the Anson was the standard trainer for many pilots, observers (navigators), wireless operators and bomb aimers. More than 20,000 aircrew received training on the Anson. In Canadian service, the aircraft was substantially re-designed with the substitution of North American engines and many other airframe and equipment changes.Harold Skaarup web pages
Harold A Skaarup Web Page 
Avro Anson History32 OTU (32 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 Patricia Bay, British Columbia can be found at:
Project 44 BCATP
BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat Bay Anson N9560
Anson Mk. I N9560
To Western Air Command on 12 September 1941, for use by No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. Crashed after striking trees in low flying area west of Nanoose Bay, BC on 16 December 1942. Originally reported as missing on this date, still not located when struck off. Wreckage finally located on 30 March 1943. 5 fatalities.1941-08-09 Taken on Strength MacDonald Brothers Aircraft 2019-08-20
1942-December-16 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Nanaimo British Columbia Names: Biggs | Doherty | Harris | Robertson | Vosburgh
1943-03-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20