Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (parents)Took off from 36 OTU, Greenwood, Nova Scotia at 16:00 in Oxford Mk V EB-506 for dual pilot checks. After climbing steeply to 300 feet, the aircraft suffered an engine failure and crashed to the ground at Kingston Nova Scotia. All on board were killed (includes Church): F/Lt Lawrence James O'Connell RCAF J/15311 KIFA Gate Of Heaven Cemetery Bedford N.S. Sec. 4. Plot L. Grave 59. Flying Officer Rex James Walls RNZAF KIFA Old Holy Trinity Cemetery Middleton N.S. Sec. 1. Grave 3. Flying Officer John Dermot Walsh RNZAF KIFA St. Lawrence RC Curch Kingston N.S. Air Force Plot.
Church, Harold William (Flight Lieutenant)
Killed in Flying Accident 1944-January-18
Birth Date: 1917-January-25
Born: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Parents: William Leonard & Dora Church
Spouse: Runa May Church, of Prince Albert.
Home: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (parents)
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
36 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
RCAF Stn. Greenwood, Nova Scotia
Rank
Flight Lieutenant
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
J/5977
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Finadagrave.com
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)Crew or Other Personnel
Oxford EB506
Accident Card - Airspeed Oxford Mk. V serial:EB506
This accident involved 1 aircraft on 1944-January-18. Oxford V s/n EB506.
This accident involved 4 people. Church HW, O'Connell LJ, Walls RJ, Walsh JD
This accident had 4 fatalities. Flying Officer Rex James Walls RNZAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:417133 Oxford EB506, Flying Officer John Dermot Walsh RNZAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:39116 Oxford EB506, Flight Lieutenant Lawrence James O'Connell RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:J/15311 Oxford EB506, Flight Lieutenant Harold William Church RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:J/5977 Oxford EB506
Unit Desciption
36 OTU (36 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.
DH Mosquito
More information on the Air Force Station at Greenwood, Nova Scotia can be found at:
RCAF.info - Greenwood, Nova Scotia
NO36 OTU Roll Of Honor
Greenwod Military Aviation Museum Video History Of Greenwood
YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy