Cleeland, James Rayson Wallace

Killed in Action 1943-05-05

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

Flying Officer

Service Numbers

J/11797

Home
Google MapToronto, Ontario (parents)
First Burial
Google MapCWG Gander Cemetery, Gander, Newfoundland

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 SqnF/Lt Joseph John Barsalou RCAF C.1237 2nd pilot 5BRSqnFlying Officer James Rayson Wallace Cleeland RCAF J/11797 5BRSqnPilot Officer James Herbert Millar RCAF J/20859 5BRSqnWarrant Officer Class 2 Alexander Frederick Morrice RCAF R/93368 10BRSqnSergeant John Benjamin Stallwood RCAF R/122657 5BRSqn

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

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

www.findagrave.com

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Canso A Serial: 9807

All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.

Findagrave.com

Canso 9807

Flight Lieutenant Barsalou, Jean Paul (RCAF)

Killed in Action
1943-May-05
CWG Cemetery, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada

Flight Lieutenant Casey, Brian Anthony (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Action
1943-May-05
CWG Cemetery, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada

Flying Officer Cleeland, James Rayson Wallace (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Action
1943-May-05
CWG Cemetery, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada

Pilot Officer Millar, James Herbert (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Action
1943-May-05
CWG Cemetery, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada

Warrant Officer 1 Morrice, Alexander Frederick (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Action
1943-May-05
CWG Cemetery, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada

Sergeant Stallwood, John Benjamin (RCAF)
aero engine mechanic
Killed in Action
1943-May-05
CWG Cemetery, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada

Consolidated Canso Catalina PBY PB2B A-10 OA-10 Black Cat

RCAF Canso A (Serial No. 9754), No. 162 Squadron, F/L David Ernest Hornell aircraft.
Hornell pby Yarmouth 1943 (003).jpg image not found

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

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

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