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Piercy, Howard Shurvin (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-March-14

Birth Date: 1920-May-27 (age 22)

Home: London, Ontario

Enlistment: London, Ontario, Canada

Service
RCAF
Unit
32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 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
Wireless Air Gunner
Service Numbers
R/129632

Was Stationed at 32 Operational Training Unit, Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Was onboard Hampden aircraft P5433 when it crashed near, Patricia Bay, British Columbia.

Was also involved in a crash while a student at 4 Wireless School, Guelph, Ontario on 28 October 1942. In that crash Norseman - 2459 turned over on its back after careless braking by the pilot.

Training History

  • 1 Manning Depot
    • Toronto, Ontario
    • 1941-12-01 - 1941-12-21
  • 4 Wireless School
    • Guelph, Ontario
    • 1942-05-11 - 1942-11-23
    • Course (Entry) 43
  • 4 Bombing & Gunnery School
    • Fingal, Ontario
    • 1942-11-23 - 1942-12-21
    • Course (Entry) 43B

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives of Canada – Service File of War Dead 1939-47 (pdf download)

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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

Sergeant Howard Shurvin Piercy has no known grave.

Crew on Hampden Mk. I P5433

Handley Page Hampden

(RCAF Photo via Chris Charland)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
Handley Page Hampden (Serial No. P5428), of No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Patricia Bay, British Columbia, in the torpedo-bomber training role between May 1942 and February 1944.

Handley Page developed a modern stressed-skin mid-wing monoplane, powered by Bristol Pegasus radial air cooled engines, with its first flight in 1936. It had the most advanced wings available at the time, giving it a remarkably low landing speed of 73 mph for an aircraft of its size, with a top speed of 265 mph. The Hampden had a short, narrow but tall main fuselage with a very slender tail unit. This configuration led to the nicknames "Flying Panhandle" and "Flying Suitcase". At the end of the war, no complete or partial Hampden aircraft were retained for museum display.

The Hampden served in the early stages of the war, bearing the brunt of the early bombing war over Europe, taking part in the first night raid on Berlin and in the first 1000-bomber raid on Cologne. In Canada, Hampdens were built by six companies that formed Associated Aircraft. There were three in Ontario and three in Quebec, hence they were identified as the Ontario Group and Quebec Group. They supplied all the the components to the two assembly plants. The Ontario Group's assembly plant was at the Malton Airport, while the Quebec group's assembly plant was at the St. Hubert Airport. Canadian Museum of Flight and Harold A Skaarup web page

YouTube Handley Page Hampden in Flight

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hampden Bomber

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications Hampden - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (96), Canadian Aircraft Losses (242)
last update: 2022-01-13 21:37:22

Hampden Mk. I P5433

With No. 32 OTU at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. The a/c had a Cat “B” accident when it ground looped and collapsed starboard main gear on landing at Patricia Bay on 17 October 1942. Crashed vertically into Saanich Inlet on 14 March 1943, and exploded. The four-man crew, consisting of Pilot Officer (RAAF) A.T. Hunt, Pilot Officer (RAAF) R.K. Manitan, Pilot Officer G.L. Hall and Flight Sergeant H.S. Piercy, all perished.
1942-06-08 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-October-17 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Patricia Bay Aerodrome Names: Roscorla
1943-March-14 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Saanich Inlet Vancouver Island Names: Hall | Hunt | Manttan | Piercy
1943-03-30 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF) (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

  • RAF Roundel RCAF.info - Patricia Bay, British Columbia

  • Museum BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat Bay

    • 1941-08-22 Primary Location Patricia Bay BC Canada

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