PL - Ralph Ernest Wells KIFA

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"A" Able flying through the Eiffel Tower? (although this event likely happened, this photograph is likely fake.) It is signed by the late Bill Bryant RAF who was the navigator of that aircraft piloted by Bob Boorman RCAF. The caption reads "This Stars Stripes photograph was taken on 14 September 1944 and shows a Mosquito Mk XIII of 409 Squadron RCAF. Pilot - W/O Bob Boorman RCAF Navigator F/S Bill Bryant RAF Flying through the Eiffel Tower."
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Wells, Ralph Ernest (Flight Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1942-September-21

Canada

Birth Date: 1914-August-11 (age 28)

Born: Worcester, Massachusetts

Susie J. Gordon, of Elmsdale, Prince Edward Island.

Home: Elmsdale, Prince Edward Island

Enlistment: Montreal, Quebec

Enlistment Date: 1941-05-19

Service
RCAF

Unit
1 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Rank

Flight Sergeant

Marshal
Air Chief Marshal	A/C/M
Air Marshal	A/M
Air Vice Marshal	A/V/M
Air Commodore	A/C
Group Captain	G/C
Wing Commander	W/C
Squadron Leader	S/L
Flight Lieutenant	F/L
Flying Officer	F/O
Pilot Officer	P/O
Warrant Officer 1st Class	WO1
Warrant Officer 2nd Class	WO2
Flight Sergeant	FS
Sergeant	SGT
Corporal	CPL
Senior Aircraftman	SAC
Leading Aircraftman	LAC
Aircraftman 1st Class	AC1
Aircraftman 2nd Class	AC2

Position
Pilot

Service Numbers
R/104815

The Hudson aircraft crashed on take-off from Siloth Cumbria England.

Killed: Flight Sergeant Ralph Ernest Wells RCAF R/104815 pilot KIA Jurby (St. Patrick) Churchyard Grave 345. Flight Sergeant Joseph Theodore Louis Philippe Gilbert RCAF R/55814 KIA Jurby (St. Patrick) Churchyard Grave 344. Sergeant Clarence William Kelner RCAF R/77769 KIA Jurby (St. Patrick) Churchyard Grave 346. Sergeant Sidney Alfred Gardiner RAF KIA Romford Cemetery Sec. L.L. Grave 1183.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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

Home

Google Map

Elmsdale, Prince Edward Island

Burial
Google Map

Google Map

St Patrick Churchyard
Grave 345

Hudson AM608

Male Head

Sergeant Gardner, Sidney Alfred (RAFVR)
Observer
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-September-21
cemetery unknown

Flight Sergeant Gilbert, Joseph Theodore Louis Philippe (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-September-21
St Patrick Churchyard, Jurby, Isle Of Man, UK

Flight Sergeant Kelner, Clarence William (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-September-21
St Patrick Churchyard, Jurby, Isle Of Man, UK

Flight Sergeant Wells, Ralph Ernest (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1942-September-21
St Patrick Churchyard, Jurby, Isle Of Man, UK

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.

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hudson

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications Hudon - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:

RCAF Owned (247) RCAF 400 Squadrons (39) Canadian Crewed (245)

last update: 2021-12-21 01:36:53

Hudson Mk. V AM608

#1 Operational Training Unit. Hudson aircraft flew into a hillside at Kirkrnichael, Isle of Man. FSs C.W. Kelner, R.E. Wells, and one of the crew, not Canadian, were also killed.

© Canadian Warplane Heritage 2024