Alexander, Robert Wilfred (Squadron Leader)

Killed in Action 1944-September-21

Squadron Leader Robert Wilfred Alexander RCAF

Birth Date: 1920-August-20

Born: Norwich, Ontario

Parents: Son of Wilfred and Isobel Johnston Hagan Alexander;

Spouse: Husband of Mildred Florence (ne Armstrong) and father of James Robert Alexander, of Sarnia, Ontario. Brother of James William, Howard John and Cathe

Home: Sarnia, Ontario

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Distinguished Flying Cross

Service

RCAF

Unit

437 Sqn- Squadron
Omnia Passim Anything anywhere

Base

RAF Blakehill Farms

Rank

Squadron Leader

Position

Pilot

Service Numbers

J/2833

Home
Google MapSarnia, Ontario
Temporary Burial
Google MapBergen-Op-Zoom War Cemetery, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands

Remains were later exhumed from this location and reburied

Memorial Location
Google MapRunnymede Memorial Surrey
Collective Grave 24 C 1-3

Born in Norwich, Ontario, 1920, home there or Paris, Ontario; enlisted London, Ontario, 16 April 1940. Trained at No1 ITS, Graduated from No1 AOS, 17 August 1940 and No1 ANS, Trenton, 26 October 1940. Squadron Leader Alexander had graduated as an observer in late 1940 and completed over 50 operations in North Africa. In March of 1942 he was awarded the DFC, he then returned to Canada to re-muster to pilot. He graduated at No 5 SFTS, Brantford, Ontario in July of 1943. Distinguished Flying Cross - No.148 Squadron - Award effective 7 April 1942 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 611/42 dated 24 April 1942. Medal presented April 1943. The citation reads - "As an air observer this officer has carried out 51 operational sorties against the enemy. He has participated in many attacks against objectives in Libya, Syria, Greece, and in the whole Mediterranean area. Flight Lieutenant Alexander is a fine bomb aimer and an exceptionally good navigator. Over a long period he has been carrying out duties of Squadron Navigation Officer with great success and his experience as an observer combined with his ability as an instructor have enabled him to attain a very high standard of navigation in the squadron. This officer has displayed consistent keenness, coolness and determination and has set a fine example to all." Detail provided by H Halliday, Orleans, Ontario

Squadron Leader RW Alexander DFC (RCAF), Flying Officer WS McLintock (RCAF) were missing, presumed killed with no known grave. They are both commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial.

Squadron Leader Alexander maintained control of the aircraft long enough for most of his crew to bail out

Flight Sergeant A. McHugh (Navigator), and Flying Officer J. Rechenuc (Wireless Operator) survived

Cpl AE Hall (RASC), Driver H Woodward (RASC) and Driver FGW Yeo (RASC) were killed. L/Cpl OR Jones (RASC) survived, injured

TSGNO Amendment: Originally declared missing with no known grave, Squadron Leader Alexander and Flying Officer McLintock's remains were identified in 1996 and they were buried at the Bergen op Zoom British War Cemetery, Noord-Brabant, Holland

There were four 437 Sqn aircraft lost on this Operation and date. Please see Steffin, P for Dakota KG 489, for Dakota KG 376 and for Dakota FZ 656

Unvetted Source Aviation Safety Network

Unvetted Source RAF Station Blakehill Farm Cricklade UK

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Grave Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave Finadagrave.com

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

Mission

Dakota Mk. III KG387

Transport 1944-September-21 to 1944-September-21

(T) Sqn (RCAF) Blakehill Farm

Market Garden

USAAF 42-92599 C-47A-10-DK 28-01-44. RAF - Royal Air Force KG387 23-02-44. W/O 21.09.44. Operated by No. 437 (T) Squadron, RCAF, in the UK in 1944, coded "Z2*UF". Shot down by Fw190s 21 September 1944 after completing panier drop re-supply mission to Arnheim, one of 4 Squadron aircraft lost on this mission. 5 of 8 crew killed, including pilot Squadron Leader R.W. Alexander, DFC, rest bailed out. First 437 Squadronn fatalities on operations. Came down near Sonniushoeve (or Sonse Hedie?), Holland, south of Wilhelminacanal, near Eindhoven. Crash location also identified as near hamlet of Esp.

Unvetted Source AviationSafety.net

Unit Desciption

437 Sqn Omnia Passim ("Husky")

History of the Squadron during World War II (Aircraft: Dakota III, IV)

No. 437 was the 32nd RCAF squadron formed overseas in WWII. It was the first of three transport squadrons. It was inaugurated on September 14, 1944 at Blakehill Farm, Wiltshire, England . It flew Dakota aircraft, and its first operation was MARKET GARDEN, the airborne assault on Arnhem. It carried airborne troops and later was involved in resupply missions to the beleaguered Allied forces, losing 4 out of 10 aircraft involved. On 24 March 1945 the squadron took part in the airborne crossing of the Rhine river at Wesel (Operation VARSITY), towing 24 Horsa gliders with troops and equipment. After the end of hostilities the squadron provided transport services for Canadian units in Britain and Europe. It was finally disbanded at Odiham, Hampshire on June 15, 1946.

Overall, the squadron flew11,625 sorties, adding up to 32,355 operational hours. 14 aircraft were lost and 17 aircrew, of whom 2 were killed, 14 missing and 1 wounded. Awards gained by the squadron were 1 OBE, 8 DFCs, 2 AFCs 1 DFM, 1 MiD and 3 King's Commendations. Battle Honours were France and Germany 1944-45, Arnhem, Rhine.Wikipedia, Kostenuk and Griffin

Maps for Movements of 437 Squadron 1944-46

MAP 1: 437 Squadron Movements 1944-46 (right-click on image to display enlarged in new tab)
MAP 2: 437 Squadron Movements in Europe 1944-46 (detail of Map 1)

437 Squadron History Summary 1944-46

History of the Squadron Post-WWII (Aircraft: Yukon, Husky, Polaris)

The squadron was reformed at Trenton, Ontario on 1 October 1961. It has remained at Trenton ever since. It was originally equipped with CC-106 Yukon. It was re-equipped with the CC-137 Husky (modified Boeing 707) in 1972. While operating the Husky it provided Air to Air Refueling in addition to transport services. Two aircraft out of the fleet of five were modified to serve as refueling tankers in mid-1972 to meet a requirement to support the CF-5 tactical fighter. At the end of the useful life of the B707 in 1997, 437 Squadron was equipped with modified Airbus A-310 aircraft (CC-150 Polaris). The Squadron’s primary roles are long-range transport of personnel and equipment, air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft and VIP transport. The Squadron occasionally performs aeromedical evacuation roles. Two CC-150 air-to-air refueling tankers were deployed to support Operation MOBILE during the 2011 military intervention in Libya. Canadian CF-188 fighter jets that enforce the no-fly zone over Libya under Operation ODYSSEY DAWN and Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR were refueled by 437 Squadron.

437 Transport Squadron frequently supports government dignitaries while on official visits, including the Prime Minister of Canada and Queen Elizabeth II during Royal tours of Canada. In June and July 2011 the squadron provided transportation for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they toured Canada and the United States.