Cloutier, Albert Edward (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-April-15

Sergeant Albert Edward Cloutier RCAF

Birth Date: 1923-January-29

Born:

Parents:

Spouse:

Home: Sault Ste Marie, Ontario

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: unkown date

Service

RCAF

Unit

31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Base

RAF Stn. Debert, Nova Scotia

Rank

Sergeant

Position

Air Gunner

Service Numbers

R/184360

Home

Sault Ste Marie, Ontario

Memorial Location

Ottawa War Memorial
Panel 3 Column 5

Hudson Mk V AM-902 was seen to crash into the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia after dropping depth charges. There were six men aboard the aircraft at the time.

Killed: Sergeant Albert Edward Cloutier, RCAF R184360, KIFA, Ottawa Memorial Pilot Officer Joseph Wilson Gibson RCAF J36962, pilot KIFA Ottawa Memorial Pilot Officer Iain Alasdair Macdonald RCAF J37607, pilot KIFA Ottawa Memorial Flying Officer Douglas Glen Reynolds RCAF J38692, nav KIFA. Ottawa Memorial Sergeant George Albert Stewart, R191672, KIFA Ottawa Memorial Pilot Officer Murray Alfred Warwick, RCAF J3820 KIFA Ottawa memorial.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

www.findagrave.com

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Crew or Other Personnel

Hudson AM902

Sergeant Albert Edward Cloutier RCAF

Sergeant Cloutier, Albert Edward (RCAF)
Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-15
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Pilot Officer Joseph Wilson Gibson RCAF

Pilot Officer Gibson, Joseph Wilson (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-15
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Pilot Officer Iain Alasdair MacDonald RCAF

Pilot Officer MacDonald, Iain Alasdair (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-15
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Pilot Officer Douglas Glen Reynolds RCAF

Pilot Officer Reynolds, Douglas Glen (RCAF)
Navigator Bomb Aimer
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-15
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Sergeant George Albert Stewart RCAF

Sergeant Stewart, George Albert (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-15
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Pilot Officer Murray Alfred Warwick RCAF

Pilot Officer Warwick, Murray Alfred (RCAF)
Navigator Bomb Aimer
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-15
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Hudson serial: AM902

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command, but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. They were also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) anti-submarine squadrons. National Air Force Museum of Canada.

YouTube Hudson

Wikipedia Hudson

unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Hudon - Kestrel Publications

Aircraft Images

Hudson AM902

Hudson Mk. V AM902

Taken on strength at No. 31 OTU at Debert, NS. Cat "B" damage at Debert aerodrome at 11:25 on 23 Oct 1941. Assigned to Clark Ruse Aircraft for crash repairs on 6 Nov 1941, with 282:55 airframe hours. Arrived there on 31 Dec 1941. Back to EAC on 19 May 1942. To Clark Ruse for repairs again, 25 Aug 1943 to 29 Feb 1944. To EAC when completed. During a practice bombing mission the a/c crashed into Cobequid Bay, NS on 16 Apr 1944, and was never recovered. The 6-person crew: Pilot Officer J.W. Gibson (pilot), Pilot Officer I.A. Macdonald (2nd pilot), Pilot Officer M.W. Warwick (nav), Pilot Officer D.G. Reynolds (nav), Flight Sergeant G.A. Stewart (WAG) and Flight Sergeant A.E. Cloutier (WAG) were declared "missing" presumed "dead". Ownership to No. 4 Repair Depot for write off on 17 Apr 1944.

1941-10-21 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1941-October-23 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Debert Aerodrome Names: Baker | Biggs | Moran
1944-April-15 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Minas Basin Nova Scotia Names: Cloutier | Gibson | MacDonald | Reynolds | Stewart | Warwick
1944-05-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Unit Desciption

31 OTU (31 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.