Warwick, Murray Alfred

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-04-15

Male Head

Birth Date: 1921-June-08

Born:

Son of Fredrick and Arley Warwick, of Hamilton, Ontario; husband of Elsie Warwick, of Hamilton.

Home: Hamilton, Ontario

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Base

Debert, Nova Scotia, Canada

Rank

Pilot Officer

Position

Pilot Officer

Service Numbers

J/35207

31 Operational Training Unit, Debert, Nova Scotia. Hudson V aircraft AM 902 was seen to crash into the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia after dropping depth charges. Pilot Officer MA Warwick (RCAF) was killed. Pilot Officer Warwick has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ottawa War Memorial. Please see Gibson, JW for complete casualty list.

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Hudson Mk. V Serial: AM902

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

Lockheed Hudson A-28 A-29 AT-18

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.
lockheed_hudson.jpg image not found

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

Wikipedia Wikipedia Hudson

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrel Publications Hudon - Kestrel Publications

31 OTU (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

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

General Wall Of Honour NO31 OTU

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy


Hudson AM902

Hudson Mk. V AM902

Taken on strength at No. 31 OTU at Debert, NS. Cat "B" damage at Debert aerodrome at 11:25 on 23 Oct 1941. Assigned to Clark Ruse Aircraft for crash repairs on 6 Nov 1941, with 282:55 airframe hours. Arrived there on 31 Dec 1941. Back to EAC on 19 May 1942. To Clark Ruse for repairs again, 25 Aug 1943 to 29 Feb 1944. To EAC when completed. During a practice bombing mission the a/c crashed into Cobequid Bay, NS on 16 Apr 1944, and was never recovered. The 6-person crew: Pilot Officer J.W. Gibson (pilot), Pilot Officer I.A. Macdonald (2nd pilot), Pilot Officer M.W. Warwick (nav), Pilot Officer D.G. Reynolds (nav), Flight Sergeant G.A. Stewart (WAG) and Flight Sergeant A.E. Cloutier (WAG) were declared "missing" presumed "dead". Ownership to No. 4 Repair Depot for write off on 17 Apr 1944.

1941-10-21 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1941-October-23 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Debert Aerodrome Names: Baker | Biggs | Moran
1944-April-15 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Minas Basin Nova Scotia Names: Cloutier | Gibson | MacDonald | Reynolds | Stewart | Warwick
1944-05-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20