Gates, Gerald Waldo (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1941-September-12

Sergeant Gerald Waldo Gates RCAF

Birth Date: 1916-September-19

Born: Port Williams, Nova Scotia

Son of Justin E. Gates and Viola Gates; husband of Mary Winnifred Gates, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Nephew of Pte. Emerson Waldo Gates (283138) who died on August 10, 1918.

Home: Port Williams, Kings County, Nova Scotia

Enlistment: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Enlistment Date: 1940-07-17

Service

RCAF

Unit

4 (C) OTU- Operational Training Unit

Base

Rank

Sergeant

Position

Sergeant

Service Numbers

R/65223

Home
Google MapPort Williams, Kings County, Nova Scotia
Final Burial
Google MapRosskeen Parish Churchyard Extension
Sec C Grave 40

4 Coastal Operational Training Unit. Sergeant GW Gates (RCAF) was killed when Saro London II aircraft K 5913 crashed during a water landing at Cromarty Firth, Scotland

Sergeant GW Gates (RCAF), Sergeant RR Wright (RCAF), AC1 FF Addison (RAFVR), AC2 AC Nixson (RAFVR), AC2 DJ Page (RAFVR) and Sergeant J Perry (RAFVR) were all killed in the crash and buried in various cemeteries in the UK, except AC2 JC Marshall (RAFVR), who was missing, presumed killed. AC2 Marshall has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede War Memorial

Saunders Roe A27 London biplane coastal patrol flying boat. Only 31 were built, entering RAF service in 1936

unvetted Source Saro London Flying Boat: Cromarty Firth Canmore

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

London serial: K5913

A Saro London of 240 Squadron RAF on patrol over the North Sea.

The Saunders Roe A.27 London was a British military biplane flying boat built by the Saunders Roe company. Only 31 were built, entering service with the Royal Air Force in 1936. Although due for replacement by the outbreak of World War II, they saw some active service pending the introduction of the ultimately unsuccessful Lerwick.

The A.27 London was designed in response to the Air Ministry Specification R.24/31 issued for a "General Purpose Open Sea Patrol Flying Boat" and was based on the Saro A.7 Severn. The London and its contemporary, the Supermarine Stranraer, were the last multi-engine, biplane flying-boats to see service with the RAF. The design utilized an all-metal corrugated hull and fabric-covered wing and tail surfaces, with two Bristol Pegasus II radial engines, mounted on the upper wing to keep them clear of spray while taking off and landing.

The first prototype first flew in March 1934 and then went on to serve until 1936 with 209 and 210 Squadrons RAF at RAF Felixstowe and Gibraltar respectively.

Gradually, the Londons' duties were assumed by newer aircraft such as the Lockheed Hudson, while squadrons flying Atlantic and Mediterranean patrols were re-equipped with Short Sunderlands. Some Londons were transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force. All were withdrawn from front-line duties by the middle of 1941. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia London Flying Boat

unvetted Source Harold Skaarup Web Page