The pilots came from British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) schools in Calgary and Claresholm, AB; Saskatoon, SK and Carberry, MB; and the Wireless Operators/Air Gunners (WOAGs) from schools in Claresholm & Lethbridge, AB; Dafoe, SK; Paulson, MB and Jarvis, ON.
On July 4th, 1942 at 11.30 hours, after journeying from No.33 EFTS, Carberry, MB by rail & bus, Sgt.-Pilot James Alexander (GB1132248) arrived at “the Ridge”. Three days later at 11.45 hours Sgt. John Andrew Williamson (R/95457), the first WOAG, arrived here from No.5 B&GS, Dafoe, SK.
Due to the early arrival of the Pilots and WOAGs they were granted additional leave, along with a Special Leave Transportation Warrants, and were to report back to the Unit on July 19. Five WOAGs overstayed their leave ranging from 15 hours 49 minutes to one day, nine hours 53 minutes. All were reprimanded by G/C A. Leach, MC (GB07202), Officer Commanding the Unit, and were given punishment of forfeiture of one to two day’s pay.
With dense fog blanketing the aerodrome, Course No. 2 commenced with 17 Pilots and 30 Wireless Operators Air Gunners (W)AGs) on July 20. This was to be the first real mixed course to train at No.34 Operational Training Unit – five Royal Air Force, 32 Royal Canadian Air Force, eight Royal Australian Air Force and two Royal New Zealand Air Force airmen.
A short nine days later (July 29) Sgt. (later WOII) Edward Robert Sklarchuk (R/115543) was admitted to the Station Hospital, discharged August 7th and transferred to Course No. 4. The following notation is contained within his Service File: “This pupil was put back two courses owing to sickness. His progress immediately after this transfer was slow but he worked hard and subsequently did well in all subjects except navigation in which he seemed slightly lacking in confidence.” He was later killed overseas August 31, 1943 when Halifax HR.859 went missing during a raid on Hamburg, Germany.
Sgt. (later F/S) David Armstrong Cannon (R/103962) was admitted to the Station Hospital July 30th, discharged August 29, transferred to Course No. 5 and on Dec. 6 was moved to Course No. 8. Sadly, he was subsequently killed when Ventura AJ173, engaged in a low-level bombing and air firing exercise from No.34 O.T.U. Detachment, Yarmouth, NS, crashed into the sea two miles west of Port Maitland, NS.
On Aug. 5 Course No.2 (Observers) was scheduled to commence and join Course No.2 (Pilots & WOAGs) already in progress but the students had yet to arrive at the Unit. It was afterwards learned that their posting had been cancelled by D.A.P.S. at Ottawa without notification. Finally, on Aug. 19 at 2300 hours 16 RCAF Observers arrived from No.1 “Y” Depot, Halifax, NS and joined training the following day.
Sgt. Robert Ernest Luckock (GB1332144), having failed his course through failure to go solo on Ventura aircraft, was posted to Re-Selection Centre, Trenton, ON on Aug. 10. A short two months later, Oct. 31, he and three other crew members aboard Anson L7056 went missing while performing a routine navigation exercise from No.32 O.T.U., Patricia Bay, BC. The wreckage was finally located on southern Vancouver Island in October 2013 by a logging company working in the area. The remains of the crew were eventually recovered, identified and later interred at Royal Oak Burial Park, Victoria, BC, on Nov. 10, 2014.
Sgt. E.H. Williamson (R/90377) & Sgt. (later WO) Jack Lachlan Finch (AUS4121123) were admitted to the Station Hospital, Aug. 31, 1942 and Sept. 6, 1942 respectively. Williamson was held off No. 2 pending medical and then transferred to Course No.3. Finch, also transferred to Course No. 3, was discharged from the Station Hospital Oct. 7.
Sept. 9 saw Course No. 2 detached to Yarmouth, NS for their Armament Training, returning on Oct. 8 prior to graduation. Graduation followed on Oct. 10 with 13 complete crews (1 Pilot, 1 Observer & 2 WOAGs) and one incomplete crew (missing a WOAG) which were posted to No.1 “Y” Depot, Halifax, NS to report there on the 25th inst. Of the original intake, one Pilot (Sgt. R.A. Court (R/110340)) and two Observers (Sgt. A.T. Caldwell (R/135062) & Sgt. Alton Eugene Hicks Irwin (R/127902)) were also screened and retained at the Unit to fill staff vacancies.
Of the 14 pilots who graduated only four were to return home at war’s end and of the four, F/O David Robert (Bob) Fowler (NZ415755) (Ret.) was to be last. Bob, a survivor of Operation “RAMROD 564” (more commonly known as “Operation Jericho”), went to his final post April 24, 2010. The Observers faired a little better losing 50% whereas the WOAGs suffered a loss of only 33%.
The high death tole in the first several courses were due to many airmen being posted to 21 (RAF) Squadron, 464 (RAAF) Squadron and 487 (RNZAF) Squadrons using the Lockheed Ventura for daylight attacks against short-range. The Ventura was never very popular with its Bomber Command crews. Losses were high, and the aircraft was not suitable as a bomber. They were replaced by deHavilland Mosquitos during the summer of 1943. However, later crews from “the Ridge” were sent to Squadrons using Mitchell aircraft which was part of the Second Tactical Airforce (2nd TAF)
Christian Larsen currently serves as President of Pennfield Parish Military Historical Society. He has been actively involved in researching the genealogical & military history of Pennfield Parish for nearly four decades. From 2009 until 2017 he hosted the annual Pennfield Ridge War Memorial Services. Recognized at the provincial & federal levels for his work with Veterans having been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012); Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023); Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation (2024) & King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2025). He can be reached at: ppmhsociety@gmail.com
