Oldford, Leslie (Sergeant)

The Supermarine Stranraer was a flying boat designed and built by the British Supermarine Aviation Works company. It was developed during the 1930s on behalf of its principal operator, the Royal Air Force (RAF). Derived from the Supermarine Scapa, the aircraft's design was heavily shaped by Specification R.24/31. While initially rejected by the Air Ministry, Supermarine persisted with development as a private venture under the designation Southampton V. During 1933, a contract was placed for a single prototype; it was around this time that the type received the name Stranraer. First flown on 24 July 1934, the Stranraer entered frontline service with the RAF during 1937; most examples of the type were in service by the outbreak of the Second World War.

The Stranraer's typically undertook anti-submarine and convoy escort patrols during the early years of the conflict. During March 1941, it was withdrawn from frontline service, but continued to be operated in a training capacity up until October 1942. In addition to the British-built aeroplanes, the Canadian Vickers company in Montreal, Quebec, also manufactured 40 Stranraers under licence for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). These Canadian Stranraers served in anti-submarine and coastal defence capacities on both Canada's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and were in regular service until 1946. Following their withdrawal from military service, many ex-RCAF Stranraers were sold off to fledgeling regional airlines, with whom they served in various commercial passenger and freighter operations into the 1950s.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Stranraers were exact equivalents of their RAF counterparts. In Canadian service, they were usually employed in coastal patrol against submarine threats in a similar role to the British Stranraers. The Canadian Vickers-built Stranraers served with the RCAF throughout the war, the last example being withdrawn on 20 January 1946. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Supermarine Stanraer

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Aircraft Images

---

Stranraer 951

Stranraer 951

Serving with No. 120 (BR) Squadron, out of RCAF Station Coal Harbour, Vancouver Island, when it ditched. Reported by radio that it had engine problems. Crew later sighted by 952, then 950, but these aircraft diverted to reported submarine in area, weather closed in, and crew never sighted again. Memorial service for crew held in Victoria, BC on 23 August 2002. See also 909.

1941-11-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-August-23 Accident: 120 Squadron Loc: At Sea Names: Anderson | Beeching | Cox | Cram | Hope | Horn | Oldford | Stuart
1942-09-26 Struck off Strength Struck off, after going missing on operational patrol 23 August 1942, see comments. 2019-08-20