Nettleton, Thomas Gordon

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-06-20

Birth Date: 1924

Born:

Son of George G. Nettleton and Anna I. Nettleton, of Ottawa, Ontario.

Home: Ottawa, Ontario

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

1 OTU- Operational Training Unit

Base

Bagotville, Quebec, Canada

Rank

Pilot Officer

Position

Pilot Officer

Service Numbers

J/44038

Home
Google MapOttawa, Ontario
First Burial
Google MapBeechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario
1 Operational Training Unit, Bagotville, Quebec. Pilot Officer Nettleton was flying Hurricane aircraft BW 873 in air to ground firing practise over St Gedeon, Lac St Jean, Quebec when he abandoned the aircraft at a low altitude. His parachute did not have time to open and he was killed by the impact.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA Serial: BW873

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

Sea Hurricane BW873

Pilot Officer Nettleton, Thomas Gordon (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-June-20
Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Hawker Sea Hurricane

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4982739)
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA (Serial No. BW850), coded BV-T, No. 126 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, patrolling from its base at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 9 Aug 1942. This Hurricane has been converted to the Mk. XIIA version by Canadian Car and Foundry (CCF). This aircraft retains its eight-gun wing and the tail hook.
60f9983cb349435ca5985742_Hawker-Hurricane--RCAF-No--126-Sqn--BV-code---9-Aug-1942--MIKAN-No--4982739.jpg image not found

While the Sea Hurricane never served in the Royal Canadian Navy, it was, ironically, operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force.  In late 1941, the RCAF found itself without any frontline fighters, having sent its earlier Hawker Hurricanes off to the UK along with 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, and was having a hard time procuring additional fighters to meet its needs.

For reasons that are still slightly unclear, the RCAF received 50 Sea Hurricanes in 1942.  It is assumed that these aircraft, built in Thunder Bay, Ontario by Canadian Car and Foundry, were to be used as part of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Merchant Ship Fighting Unit (MSFU) based in Canada, but were diverted to the RCAF.  These Sea Hurricanes were basically a Hurricane Mk. I with a tail-hook, catapult spools, a short blunt de Havilland spinner, and an eight gun wing.  Harold A Skaarup Web Page

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Wikipedia Wikipedia Hawker Hurricane variants

Sea Hurricane BW873

Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA BW873

Stored at Dartmouth, as reserve aircraft for the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit of the RAF. Back to Canada Car & Foundry at Fort William on 21 June 1943, for conversion to Mk. XIIA. Returned to Eastern Air Command on 21 August 1943. To No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec. Crashed June 1944. Remains to Jack Arnold Aviation Museum in Titusville, Florida in 1988. Being restored, used parts from Hurricanes 5301 and 5381.

1942-01-19 Taken on Strength No. 118 (F) Squadron 2019-08-20
1943-December-02 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Aerodrome Names: McLeod
1944-June-20 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Lac St Jean Names: Nettleton
1944-08-15 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20