Shanks, James Rogers

Killed in Flying Accident 1942-09-13

Birth Date: 1918-February-09

Born:

Son of J. Harrison Shanks and Christina T. Shanks, of Sarnia.

Home: Sarnia, Ontario

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

CTS- Conversion Training Squadron (RAF)

Base

RCAF Stn. Rockcliffe, Ontario

Rank

Pilot Officer

Position

Pilot Officer

Service Numbers

J/14860

Home

Sarnia, Ontario

First Burial

Lake View Cemetery, Sarnia, Ontario

RCAF Station, Rockcliffe, Ontario. Harvard and Oxford aircraft were in a mid-air collision.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

www.findagrave.com

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

Oxford Mk. II Serial: BG297
Harvard Mk.IIB Serial: 3106

All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.

Findagrave.com

Oxford BG297

Sergeant Patterson, Stanley Victor (RCAF)
electrician
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-September-13
Maple Vale Cemeteryxxx, Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada

Leading Aircraftman Rash, Franklin L (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-September-13
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, USA

Pilot Officer Shanks, James Rogers (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-September-13
Lakeview Cemetery, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

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.

60f81560a49c57323928b13e_Airspeed-A-S-10-Oxford-Mk--II--RCAF--Serial-No--A5277----in-flight-over-Saskatchewan--1942---Bob-Brown.jpeg image not found

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