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Summerwill, John Leslie (Pilot Officer)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-June-05

Birth Date: 1921-February-03 (age 22)

Son of John and Cassie L. Summerwill, of Sprucedale, Ontario.

Home: Sprucedale, Ontario

Service
RCAF
Unit
31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
Debert, Nova Scotia, Canada
Rank
Pilot Officer
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
Navigator
Service Numbers
J/24806
31 Operational Training Unit, Debert, Nova Scotia. Hudson aircraft missing.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Find-A-Grave.com

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

Pilot Officer John Leslie Summerwill has no known grave.

Crew on Hudson Mk. VI FK409

Lockheed Hudson A-28 A-29 AT-18

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command, but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. They were also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) anti-submarine squadrons. National Air Force Museum of Canada.

YouTube Hudson

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hudson

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications Hudon - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (247), RCAF 400 Squadron (2), Canadian Aircraft Losses (245), Canadian Ferried (1)
last update: 2021-12-21 01:36:53

Hudson Mk. VI FK409

Used by No. 31 OTU at Debert, NS. On 5 Jun 1943, the a/c took off on a night navigation exercise and went missing. The five-person crew were killed including: Pilot Officer J.J. McCarry (pilot), Pilot Officer V.E. Mayhew (nav), Pilot Officer J.L. Summerhill (WAG), Pilot Officer C. Ursel (WAG) and Pilot Officer A.B. Haddow (passenger). Assigned to No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB for scrapping on 9 Jun 1943.
1942-09-30 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1943-June-22 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Names: Haddow | Mayhew | McCarry | Summerwill | Ursel
1944-02-07 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2020-09-24

31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF) (31 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 Debert, Nova Scotia can be found at

  • RAF Roundel RCAF.info - Debert, Nova Scotia

  • General History 31 OTU by Maj (Ret) G.D. Madigan

  • General Wall Of Honour NO31 OTU

    • 1941-06-03 Primary Location Debert NS Canada Currently site of Delbert Airport Ident CCQ3

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