Nowosad, August

Killed in Flying Accident 1941-10-25

Birth Date: 1916-July-10

Born:

Son of John S. Nowosad and Madeleine Nowosad, of Vonda; husband of Doris Cecilia Nowosad, of Saskatoon.

Home: Vonda, Saskatchewan

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Base

Debert, Nova Scotia, Canada

Rank

Pilot Officer

Position

Pilot Officer

Service Numbers

J/7649

Home
Google MapVonda, Saskatchewan
First Burial
Google MapWoodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
31 Operational Training Unit, Debert, Nova Scotia. The crew of Hudson aircraft AM 886 were on a cross-country training flight when they crashed at the lower end of Big Tupper Lake, Altamount, Franklin County, New York, USA. Pilot Officer T. Shellshear and Sergeant D.R. Gill were also killed.

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. V Serial: AM886

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

Findagrave.com

Hudson AM886

Sergeant Gill, Douglas Roy (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1941-October-25
General Cemetery, Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada

Pilot Officer Nowosad, August (RCAF)
Observer
Killed in Flying Accident
1941-October-25
Woodlawn Cemetery Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Pilot Officer Shellshear, Thomas Douglas (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1941-October-25
Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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 AM886

Hudson Mk. V AM886

With No. 31 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Debert, NS when it crashed on night of 25/26 October 1941. Came down in marsh near Big Topper Lake near Malone, New York. (Also reported as near Tupper Lake, which is 50 miles south of Malone.) All 3 crew, Pilot Officer T.D. Shellshear, Pilot Officer A. Nowosad and Sgt. D.R. Gill killed. RCAF Record Card records crash location as Franklin City, New York, which is probably Franklin, 20 miles south of Malone. Wreckage salvaged by No. 6 Repair Depot. Aircraft may still have been on RAF books at time of crash, ownership to RCAF for scrapping.

1941-October-25 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Big Tupper Lake Names: Gill | Nowosad | Shellshear
1941-11-13 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1942-03-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20