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Powers, Maurice (Surgeon)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-October-19

Birth Date: 1905 (age 38)

Home: Regina, Saskatchewan

Enlistment Date: 1937-01-01

Service
RCMP
Unit
35 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF)
Base
North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada
Rank
Surgeon
Position
Pass
Service Numbers
O.298
From RAFC: On 19 October 1943 an Oxford crashed in poor weather near North Battleford, Canada, killing the pilot, Flg Off Anthony Archer Green RAFVR, and both passengers, Superintendent Maurice Powers, a medical doctor who headed the RCMP’s pioneering crime detection laboratory in Regina, and Cpl Basil James Ford-Smith RAFVR. From FaG: Supt. Maurice Powers, P.B., M.D.C.M., Med Sc.D, R.G.M. RCMP Surgeon Powers was killed in an aircraft accident as the result of bad weather. He was a well respected officer and he was in charge of Forensic Investigation. He died at North Battleford, Saskatchewan. He had been in North Battleford to testify at a trial. The pilot of the aircraft and another passenger died in the crash. Shares marker with Cornelius Powers and his wife, Catherine Trainor Powers Notre-Dame of Ottawa Cemetery Ottawa, Ottawa Municipality, Ontario, Canada PLOT Sec

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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

Crew on Oxford Mk. V EB659

Airspeed Oxford

(Bob Brown Photo)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
Airspeed A.S. 10 Oxford Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. AS277), 25, in flight over Saskatchewan, 1942.

The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine monoplane aircraft developed and manufactured by Airspeed. It saw widespread use for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery roles throughout the Second World War.

The Oxford was developed by Airspeed during the 1930s in response to a requirement for a capable trainer aircraft that conformed with Specification T.23/36, which had been issued by the British Air Ministry. Its basic design is derived from the company's earlier AS.6 Envoy, a commercial passenger aircraft. Performing its maiden flight on 19 June 1937, it was quickly put into production as part of a rapid expansion of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in anticipation of a large-scale conflict.

As a consequence of the outbreak of war, many thousands of Oxfords were ordered by Britain and its allies, including Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Poland, and the United States. Following the end of the conflict, the Oxford continued to achieve export sales for some time, equipping the newly formed air forces of Egypt, India, Israel, and Yugoslavia. It was considered to be a capable trainer aircraft throughout the conflict, as well as being used a general-purpose type. A large number of Oxfords have been preserved on static display. Wikipedia

YouTube Oxford Trainer

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Oxford Trainer

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (821), Canadian Aircraft Losses (168)
last update: 2021-09-27 15:31:03

Oxford Mk. V EB659

With No. 35 Service Flying Training School when it crashed 4.5 miles north of the Red Pheasant Reserve, Saskatchewan on 19 October 1943. 3 fatalties: pilot Pilot Officer A.A. Green, RAF, Superintendent Maurice Powers of the RCMP, and Cpl. B.J. Ford-Smith, RAF. The plane was enroute from North Battleford to Saskatoon late in the day, in bad weather. The wreckage was not located until the next day, and some sources list the crash date as 20 October 1943. The aircraft struck power lines, and appeared to be attempting to return to North Battleford.
1943-04-07 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-October-19 Accident: 35 Service Flying Training School Loc: Red Pheasant Names: Ford-smith | Green | Power
1944-03-15 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07

35 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF) (35 Service Flying Training School)

Graduates of the EFTS "learn-to-fly" program went on a Service Flying Training School (SFTS) for 16 weeks. For the first 8 weeks the trainee was part of an intermediate training squadron; for the next 6 weeks an advanced training squadron and for the final 2 weeks training was conducted at a Bombing & Gunnery School. The Service schools were military establishments run by the RCAF or the RAF.

There were two different types of Service Flying Training Schools. Trainees in the fighter pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 14 Aylmer, where they trained in the North American Harvard or North American Yale. Trainees in the bomber, coastal or transport pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 5 Brantford where they learned multi-engine technique in an Airspeed Oxford, Avro Anson or Cessna Crane.

RCAF Aerodrome North Battleford, Saskatchewan.Image from the RCAF Pilots Manual of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases circa 1942.

For More Information on RCAF Station North Battleford see here

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - RCAF Station North Battleford SK

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Hamlin SK

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Brada SK

  • General Elinor Florence - Brada Relief Field - Air Force Ghosts

  • Museum Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial - Base History

  • Museum Vintage Wings - Ghosts Of Saskatchewan

    • 1941-09-04 Primary Location North Battleford SK Canada Current site of North Battleford Airport CYQW
    1941-09-04 Relief Field Brada SK Canada Abandoned returned to agriculture
    1941-09-04 Relief Field Hamlin SK Canada Operated as airfield until 2007 now closed

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