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Pickard, Roy Eugene (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-February-26

Birth Date: 1920 (age 24)

Son of Roy William and Edith Mary Pickard, of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Home: Vancouver, British Columbia

Service
RCAF
Unit
7 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School
Base
Paulson, Manitoba, Canada
Rank
Sergeant
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
armourer
Service Numbers
R/143310
Bolingbroke 9890 and Lysander aircraft 2392 were engaged in a gunnery exercise when they collided in mid-air and crashed five miles south-east of the aerodrome at Paulson. Warrant Officer S.D. Gaunce, LACs J.A. Kinloch (RAF), T.M. Reid (RAF), and Sergeant Pickard were killed in the Bolingbroke, Leading Aircraftman R.H. Pickering and Pilot Officer W.T. Wiggins were killed in the Lysander.

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Bolingbroke Mk. IVT Serial: 9890
  2. Lysander Mk. IIIA TT Serial: 2392

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 MapVancouver, British Columbia
Burial
Google MapRiverside Cemetery
Lot D Sec 6 Block 6

Bolingbroke 9890

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

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (626), RCAF 400 Squadron (3), Canadian Aircraft Losses (43), Canadian Museum(8)
last update: 2021-12-29 16:53:49

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 9890

Delivered to long term storage. To No. 2 Training Command on 30 September 1942. Received minor damage on 12 April 1943, when it collided on the ground with Anson 8610 at Paulson. Collided with Lysander 2392 on 26 February 1944. Both aircraft with No. 7 Bombing & Gunnery School at Paulson, Manitoba. 4 fatalities in this aircraft, Warrant Officer Class 2 S.D. Gaunce RCAF, Leading Aircraftman J.H. Kinloch RAF, Leading Aircraftman T.M. Reid RAF, and Sgt. R.E. Pickard RAF. This aircraft reported as "completely destroyed". To No. 8 Repair Depot for scrapping in 4 March 1944.

Canada Primary Source RCAF - Accident Investigation File



1942-06-04 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
1943-April-12 Accident: 1 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Parr | Wagar
1944-February-26 Accident: 7 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: 1st Meridian Manitoba Names: Gaunce | Kinloch | Pickard | Pickering | Reid | Wiggins
1944-03-04 Struck off Strength 2021-12-29

Lysander 2392

Lysander Mk. IIIA TT 2392

Assigned to No. 2 Training Command and to an unknown unit in western Canada. Collided with Bolingbroke #9890 on 2 February 1944. Both aircraft with No. 7 Bombing & Gunnery School at Paulson, Manitoba. 2 fatalities in this aircraft, Pilot Officer W.T. Wiggins RCAF and Leading Aircraftman R.H. Pickering RCAF.

1942-07-11 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1944-02-02 Accident Category A 2022-01-09
1944-February-26 Accident: 7 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: 1st Meridian Manitoba Names:
1944-05-02 Struck off Strength reduced to spares and produce 2022-01-09

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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