Clay, Gilbert Frederick (Flight Lieutenant)

10 North Atlantic (BR) Squadron, RCAF Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Douglas Digby aircraft 749 was on an anti-submarine patrol on the East Coast when it encountered extremely poor weather conditions and attempted to reach Quebec City.

It was discovered that the crew of six only had 5 parachutes, so the two smallest members volunteered to use one parachute. The bomber ran out of fuel and was abandoned near East Lake (Lac de l'Est), Quebec. pilot Flight Lieutenant GF Clay (RCAF) and Flight Lieutenant JG Richardson (RCAF), making the double jump, fell into the lake and were drowned when they went through the ice.

However Flying Officer LeBlanc had landed on the edge of a logging camp and was soon able to send a telegram detailing the area where the survivors should be. Within days searchers found Leading Aircraftman Benoit and AC1 Johnson, but the remains of aero engine mechanic Leading Aircraftman HE Howard (RCAF) were not discovered until 1944.

The bomber came down just over the border in Maine, USA (R Sneddon).

Killed: F/Lt Gilbert Frederick Clay RCAF C/1126 KIFA Forest Lawn Memorial Park Burnaby BC Timberland Sec. Lot 206. Grave 1. LAC Hollis Eugene Howard (1065) KIFA Aylesford United Church Cemetery Lot 19. F/Lt John Gordon Richardson RCAF C/899 KIFA Woodlawn Cemetery Saskatoon Block 88. Lot 86. Grave 10500.