Cleeland, James Rayson Wallace (Flying Officer)

Killed in Action 1943-May-05

Flying Officer James Rayson Wallace Cleeland RCAF

Birth Date: 1920

Born:

John & Madge L. Cleeland

Home: Toronto, Ontario (parents)

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

5 (BR) Sqn- Squadron

Base

RCAF Stn. Gander, Newfoundland

Rank

Flying Officer

Position

Pilot

Service Numbers

J/11797

Final Burial
Google MapCWG Cemetery
Plot 1 Row 2 Grave 9

Canso 9807 crashed because it "stalled due to climbing at a critical angle in rough air" (Mulvihill 1943). The weight of the aircraft may have been a factor, as it was the second incident with a Canso under similar conditions. Therefore, it was recommended that the maximum weight of the aircraft be reduced to prevent further accidents.

Killed: F/Lt Brian Anthony Casey RCAF C.1061 1st pilot 5 Bomber-Reconnaissance Sqn F/Lt Joseph John Barsalou RCAF C.1237 2nd pilot 5BRSqn Flying Officer James Rayson Wallace Cleeland RCAF J/11797 5BRSqn Pilot Officer James Herbert Millar RCAF J/20859 5BRSqn Warrant Officer Class 2 Alexander Frederick Morrice RCAF R/93368 10BRSqn Sergeant John Benjamin Stallwood RCAF R/122657 5BRSqn

Survivor: Cpl. Edmond Antoine Dube RCAF R/63059 5BRSqn

Canso serial: 9807

RCAF Canso A (Serial No. 9754), No. 162 Squadron, F/L David Ernest Hornell aircraft.

The Consolidated Catalina and Canso were close cousins. The Canso was the true amphibious version of the design and therefore included a conventional undercarriage to allow for either water or land use. The Canso provided more than two decades of valuable service to the RCAF. The Catalina variant came first and was produced beginning in 1935 for the United States Navy. The amphibious version, designated PBY-5A, came in service early in 1941 and the RCAF began using the aircraft on anti-submarine patrols that same year. After the Second World War, the RCAF used Cansos for search and rescue, Arctic survey missions and various transport operations. RCAF

YouTube Canso PBY

Wikipedia Wikipedia Canso PBY

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Aircraft Images


Canso 9807

Canso A 9807

Served with No. 5 (BR) Squadron in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, or Quebec, coded "F". Crashed near Gander in early 1943 (or 1944?). To No. 19 Sub Repair Depot at RCAF Station Gander, Newfoundland on 6 May 1943. Wreckage still on site in 2012.
{{link,canadaprimary,https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c5933/2006,RCAF - Accident Investigation File}}

1943-02-12 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1943-May-05 Accident: 5 Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Barsalou | Casey | Cleeland | Dube | Millar | Morrice | Stallwood
1944-03-20 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20