L'Heureux, Joseph Maurice Claude

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-07-26

Birth Date: 1920-July-09

Born: St. Tite, County Laviolette, Quebec

Son of Henri and the late Florestine (nee Lagac) L'Heureux, of Montreal, Quebec. Brother of Rodolphe, Georges, Raymond, Bertrand, Marcel, Lucienne, Jeanne, Lilliane and Gisele.

Home: Montreal, Quebec

Enlistment: Montreal, Quebec

Enlistment Date: 1942-06-25

Service

RCAF

Unit

31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Base

Debert, Nova Scotia, Canada

Rank

Sergeant

Position

Sergeant

Service Numbers

R/171487

Home
Google MapMontreal, Quebec
First Burial
Google MapCote Des Neiges Cemetery, Montreal, Quebec
31 Operational Training Unit, Debert, Nova Scotia. Hudson aircraft crashed.

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. Hudson Mk. VI Serial: FK539

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

Findagrave.com

Hudson FK539

Sergeant L'Heureux, Joseph Maurice Claude (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Sergeant Legroulx, Claude Oscar (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
Sacred Heart Cemetery, Alexandria, Ontario, Canada

Warrant Officer 1st Class Macleod, Allan Allister (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
Pinecrest Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Male Head

Pilot Officer Parr, R J (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
cemetery unknown

Pilot Officer Smith, Earl George (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
cemetery unknown

Lockheed Hudson A-28 A-29 AT-18

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.
lockheed_hudson.jpg image not found

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 Wikipedia Hudson

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrel Publications Hudon - Kestrel Publications

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.
More information on the RCAF Station at Debert, Nova Scotia can be found at

General History 31 OTU by Maj (Ret) G.D. Madigan

General Wall Of Honour NO31 OTU

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

Hudson FK539

Hudson Mk. VI FK539

Used by No. 31 OTU at Debert, NS. Cat "A" crash at Mabou, NS (on the west coast of Cape Breton Island) on 6 Aug 1943. The a/c was on a navigation exercise and went missing with a crew of five. Pilot Officer R.J. Parr (pilot), Pilot Officer H. Smith (nav), Flight Sergeant C.O. Legroulx (WAG), Flight Sergeant J.M.C. L'Heureux (WAG) and Warrant Officer Class 1 A.A. McLeod (Staff WAG) were all killed. To No. 4 Repair Depot on 7 Aug 1943, for salvage.

1942-09-29 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1943-July-26 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Mabou Mtnorth Cape Breton Names: L'heureux | Legroulx | McLeod | Parr | Smith
1943-11-04 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20