Mystery picture found near site of Canadian plane crash in Wales...who is he?

[Damien]

Hi,
Anyone noticed that Ernest is not wearing flight boots in the crew photo but the two men either side are.

[dennford]

I had noticed, however apart from that he is wearing complete flying rig - could his trousers possibly be over the boots.
                             Denn

[J.J.]

What a great project at McGill...with all the new recruits on board, we will
surely do well.

I think, Denn, that you're right...( We do get off topic, sorry Caroline...it happens on all threads ) The boots seem to be on the inside... Notice the break in the crease?
I also notice that they are standing in good old Winnipeg muck...We are in the Red River Valley, here,  where the old Lake Agassi was waaaaayyyyyy back when. When it rains...it pours and we have major  floods every half century or so. 


Mossbank is another familiar name from Dad's training...they did run them about the countryside here, from station to station...and it wasn't quite as easy as nowadays, although they had the trains...bet they wished they could have flown those old trainers across the country instead!

[Damien]

Hi,
On the first crew photo the man on the far right has a badge on his upper left arm anyone have any idea what this badge is

[Caroline_d]

Matt who has a web site called Bombercrew.com has placed an article his website about the airmen.  It's possible that someone might not be a Rootschat member but may visit his site.  It all helps to get information to more people. 

There is other interesting information on his site which is listed below:

http://www.bombercrew.com/main.htm

[Janice M]

Hi Caroline

That is a terrific dedication to this young crew.  What a great idea!

I don't know if you have had any luck in trying the Canadian Legion Magazine, but here is their website anyway.

www.legionmagazine.com
e-mail is:  magazine[AT]legion.ca

All of the legion members I have spoken to, recommended that you send the information to the magazine. It has quite a large distribution, and the people reading are definately interested in this type of story.

Janice

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[Janice M]

Hi Caroline

I just received another letter from a member of the Burke family. What you and your grandfather have done has made this family so very happy. I am a little overwhelmed by their kind words, but have been sure to remind them, that my part in this was so small, and that all the praise should go to your family, the Mayor's office, and everyone involved in helping you solve this mystery.

I have invited the Burke family to look in on this site, so that they can see just how much work everyone is putting into this. Everyone has made such a great contribution with their letters to different organizations as well as their knowledge of the military and their ideas on how to solve this.

I am also proud, as a Canadian, that McGill University has also taken an interest. I do errands for an elderly lady that once attended and worked at McGill, and when I told her of this story, you could see the pride she had for them.

Please let your grandfather know, that because of the thoughtfulness of his actions, and all of your hard work and dedication, this Remembrance Day became even more special for everyone involved with trying to solve this mystery. Your grandfather must be a very special man, for not everyone would have cherished a photograph of someone they didn't know, for the last 61 years.


Janice

[mc8]

Hi Janice
I think that says it all.  I've been truly impressed by the determination of the people in this thread to not just return mementos to people but to pay tribute to those who gave their lives

[MJP]

Hi all,

What great progress!  I love the newspaper article about the Burkes.  Kudos to that Mayor for taking such a personal interest.  Even though we haven't identified "mystery guy", at least you were able to pass on all that other info. 

I just wanted to let you all know that I have just ordered the men's service files from the Canadian Archives.  I'm going to try and view them this week, but if they can't have them ready for me by Thursday it will have to wait until I'm back in town the week of Dec. 5th.  (Heading off on a 2-week business trip...)

Keep your fingers crossed for expedient service!

Martha