Bowhay, Samuel Leslie (Flight Lieutenant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1945-January-10

Flight Lieutenant Samuel Leslie Bowhay RCAF

Birth Date: 1915-February-03

Born:

Parents: Charles Lionel & Blanch Loraine Bowhay

Spouse:

Home: Three Hills, Alberta (parents)

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RCAF

Unit

5 OTU- Operational Training Unit

Base

RCAF Stn. Abbotsford BC.

Rank

Flight Lieutenant

Position

Pilot

Service Numbers

J/4744

Home
Google MapThree Hills, Alberta (parents)
Final Burial
Google MapThree Hills Cemetery
Plot 12 Block C Grave 1

Took off from Abbottsford on a night bombing practice mission to the Boundary Bay Bombing Range, south of Vancouver BC.

A practice bomb fouled the bomb-bay and exploded. F/Lt Bowhay stayed at the controls and maintained control long enough for several of his crew to bail out. He went down with the aircraft along with 2 other crew who were unable to escape and perished. The aircraft crashed near Point Roberts, Washington, USA.

Killed includes Bowhay: Sergeant Henry Charles Barr RCAF R/291559 KIA Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg, Sergeant Thomas Michael Calloway RCAF K/268423 KIA Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, Block 3. Plot 19. Lot 10.

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)

Accident Card - Consolidated Liberator B. Mk. VI serial:EW210

This accident involved 1 aircraft on 1945-January-10. Liberator s/n EW210.

This accident involved 7 people. Barr HG, Bowhay SL, Calleway TM, Halcrew GC, Rees AW, Somerville HR, Steele RG

This accident had 3 fatalities. Sergeant Thomas Michael Calloway RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:K/268423 Liberator EW210, Flight Lieutenant Samuel Leslie Bowhay RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:J/4744 Liberator EW210, Sergeant Henry Charles Barr RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:R/291559 Liberator EW210

Unit Desciption

5 OTU (5 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.
NO5 OTU Boundary Bay
5 Operational Training Unit was established at RCAF Station Boundary Bay, British Columbia. The former station is now the Boundary Bay Airport. More information on the RCAF Station at Boundary Bay can be found at

Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF.Info

A Detachment of 5 Operational Training Unit was established at RCAF Station Abbotsford, British Columbia. The former Station is now the Abbotsford International Airport. More information on the RCAF Station at Abbotsford can be found at

Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF.Info

Project 44 BCATP

Unvetted Source Project 44 BCATP

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