Conlon, Sidney James
Killed in Flying Accident 1942-12-17
Birth Date: 1921-April-14
Born: Toronto Ontario
Home: Toronto, Ontario
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: Unknown
Service
RCAF
Unit
32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
RCAF Stn. Patricia Bay, BC
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Sergeant
Service Numbers
R/115318
Home
Toronto, Ontario
First Burial
Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario
32 Operational Training Unit, Patricia Bay, BC Anson Mk I R-3431 flew into the sea north-east of Salt Spring Island, BC while searching for Anson N 9560 of the same unit.
Killed includes Conlon:Sergeant Alphonse Michael Bellotti RCAF R/132610 KIA Ottawa Memorial Panel 1. Column 5.Sergeant Norman Arthur Albert Bastick RAF pilot KIA Royal Oak Burial Park Victoria BC Sec. D. Plot 20. Grave 15.Sergeant Kenneth John Bowler RAF KIA Royal Oak Burial Park Sec. D. Plot 20. Grave 16.Sergeant Robert Alfred Maun RAF KIA Ottawa Memorial Panel 1. Column 4.
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
www.findagrave.comThis incident involved multiple aircraft:
- Anson Mk. I Serial: R3431
All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.
Anson R3431
Avro Anson
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Museum's Anson Mk. V was built by MacDonald Brothers in Winnipeg in 1944. It flew with No. 7 Photographic Wing and No. 414 Squadron in Ottawa on photo survey work until the late 1940s. In 1956, it was purchased by INCO and used for mineral surveying until 1980, when it was donated to the Museum. The exterior is painted in the yellow colour common to all BCATP trainers and is in its same wartime RCAF markings.
The Avro Anson was known by a number of nicknames including "Faithful Annie" or "Flying Greenhouse". It was the first aircraft to be flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force to have a retractable undercarriage, which was a comparative novelty in 1936. In 1940, a Canadian government owned company, Federal Aircraft Limited, was created in Montreal to manufacture the Anson for Canadian use. Nearly 3,000 Anson aircraft were produced and, in the early days of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), the Anson was the standard trainer for many pilots, observers (navigators), wireless operators and bomb aimers. More than 20,000 aircrew received training on the Anson. In Canadian service, the aircraft was substantially re-designed with the substitution of North American engines and many other airframe and equipment changes.Harold Skaarup web pages
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Avro Anson History32 OTU (32 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.
More information on the RCAF Station at Patricia Bay, British Columbia can be found at:
RCAF.info - Patricia Bay, British Columbia
BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat BayAnson R3431
Anson Mk. I R3431
To Western Air Command on 19 September 1941, for use by No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. Flew into the sea north-east of Salt Spring Island, BC on 17 December 1942, while searching for Anson N9560 of the same unit. Five fatalities, including Sgt. A.M. Bellotti, an American in the RCAF, but only two bodies recovered. Had 334:45 logged time when struck off.1941-06-25 Taken on Strength Aircraft Repair 2019-08-20
1942-December-17 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Salt Spring Island British Columbia Names: Bastick | Bellotte | Bowler | Conlon | Maun
1943-02-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20