Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (parents)
32 Operational Training Unit, Patricia Bay, British Columbia. Anson aircraft N 9560 was engaged in a navigation training exercise when it crashed seven miles inland from Nanaimo, British Columbia. P/Os D.J. Robertson, P.F. Biggs, J.R. Vosburgh, and Sergeant A.J. Doherty (RNZAF) were also killed. Although an extensive air search was undertaken the aircraft was not found until the crash site was reported by a civilian. Pilot Officer Navigator Harris is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
FAG lists D
DOB as 1920--04-06
Harris, William Ward (Pilot Officer)
Killed in Flying Accident 1942-December-16
Birth Date: 1920-April-16
Born: Edgerton Ohio USA
Parents: Orlo Ward & Belle Harris
Spouse:
Home: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (parents)
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
RCAF Stn. Patricia Bay, BC
Rank
Pilot Officer
Position
Navigator
Service Numbers
J/14661
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Finadagrave.com
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)Crew or Other Personnel
Anson N9560
Accident Card - Avro Anson Mk. I serial:N9560
This accident involved 1 aircraft on 1942-December-16. Anson I s/n N9560.
This accident involved 5 people. Biggs PF, Doherty AJ, Harris WW, Robertson DJ, Vosburgh JR
This accident had 5 fatalities. Sergeant Andrew Joseph Doherty RNZAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:414549 Anson N9560, Pilot Officer James Roderick Vosburgh RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:J/21063 Anson N9560, Pilot Officer William Ward Harris RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:J/14661 Anson N9560, Pilot Officer Percival Frederick Biggs RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:J/21175 Anson N9560, Pilot Officer David Jack Robertson RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:J/13019 Anson N9560
Unit Desciption
32 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.
Avro Anson
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 Bay
Project 44 BCATP
YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy