| Note |
- Military: served in World War II as Pilot Officer - killed in 1942.
- As per National Archives, Government Records Branch:
Flying Officer, Ronald Frederick Mallett (J-11451). I can obtain his
complete military personnel file, 257 pages at .20 per page (51.40). Sent this
amount on January 24, 1992.
- As per National Archives, Government Records - Military Personnel File.
. Service #'s: R-110857 and J-11451
. Periods of service in the Armed Forces of Canada during World War II:
1) Army Reg No. H-605041 A3 RCAATC Private Mar 20, 1941 - Jun 24, 1941
Called up by the Army at Ft William, Ont at age of 21
Other form says: Service Experience - Mar 20 to Jun 1941 -
102nd C.O.(R) T.C. & A3 R.C.A. Fort William, Ontario
and Advanced Training Centre. Shilo Camp, Manitoba
2) Air Force R110857 Flying Officer Jun 25, 1941 - Nov 30, 1942
Enlisted in Air Force at Winnipeg, Manitoba.
. Service in Canada: Brandon, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Portage LaPrairie, Paulson,
Rivers, Halifax, Debert (NS), Lachine (Que).
. Overseas service: Jun 27, 1942 to Nov 30, 1942. On Jun 27/42 he navigated
his plane to England. Emplaned in Newfoundland, deplaned U.K. Jun 28/42.
1st post: No. 3 P.R.C. (to Jul 13/42).
2nd post: No. 1 (o) A.F.U. (to Aug 17/42).
3rd post: No. 22 O.T.U. (Satellite) Wellesbourne Mountford (until death)
. Service Awards: Defence Medal, General Service Medal, C.V.S.M.
Army Awards - War Medal 1939-1945 ???
A/O Badge March 28, 1942
. Reclassification and Promotions (Air Force):
Jun 25/41 - AC2
Nov 07/41 - LA6 Granted the commission May 1/42,
Mar 28/42 - Sargeant effective from April 27/42.
Apr 27/42 - P/O (Pilot Officer)
Oct 27/42 - T.F.O
. Trade (Air Force):
Jun 25/41 - Pord
Nov 07/41 - Air Observer
Mar 28/42 - A/O
Apr 27/42 - A/O GL
. Awarded flying badge on Mar 28, 1942
. Types of service aircraft flown: Anson, Battle
. Unit when died: 22 O.T.U (Satellite) Wellesbourne Mountford, Warwickshire
Bomber Command J.A.T.P. (CAN).
. As per the Group Captain Commanding R.A.F. Station, Wellesbourne, Mountford
Ron was of the very finest type of young man upon whom we are relying to
win the war, and I need hardly tell you that he was extremely popular with
everyone here. His keenness on his job and his enthusiasm for everything
he took in hand were most marked. He was not permitted to devulge any
detailed information regarding the actual occurrence which led to his death.
He died just a surely in the service of the Empire as if he had met his end
in active operations against the enemy. Assures on how much they all honour
the sacrifice he made so far from his own country in the cause of freedom
and in the service of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
. Comments on Ronald's records: Good bombaimer, not easily rattled
in the air. Above average in ability as air firer. Good knowledge of guns.
Above average, co-operative. Shows good initiative. A very hardworking
observer. Lacks confidence in the air but does good work. Somewhat slo in
picking up astro but results are satisfactory. - Good marks.
Cool and keen - hard worker - quiet, industrious, well liked.
Nice clean cut chap, sincere, keen to serve in air force.
. Training:
Initial Training, Edmonton (25/9/41-31/10/41) 90%
Air Observers Course, Portage La Prairie, Man (10/11/41-15/2/42) 73.4%
Armament Training, Paulson, Man. (16/2/42-28/3/42) 80.3%
Advanced Air Observers Training Rivers, Man (30/3/42-27/4/42) 69%
Received Observers Badge: 28/3/42
. Other flying accident: Ronald was an air observer in another flying accident
in which no one was injured. The pilot had overrun the runway after landing
in a night navigation exercise at Portage La Prairie. Plane was an Anson
9688 Cheetah IX. Ron was the 2nd Navigator. Accident was due to bad weather
conditions at home airport so they had to make an emergency landing at an
unfamiliar airport. Cause was determined to be an error in judgment on the
part of the pilot. He overshot in landing on a small, unlighted field with
rough surfaces. Accident was on Jan 26 1942 20:58. Another report shows
that the accident occured at Pembina Airport, USA. Visibility at that
airport was good, it was overcast about 5000 [?]. The pilot was a civilian
pilot. The place an Avro-Anson-9688. Ron was from the No. 7 Air Observer
School unit. His duty on this flight was as student observer.
Death:
- As per military records:
Died 02:24 Nov 30, 1942 in an air operations accident which also killed
two other Canadian and three non-Canadians. Wellington Mark III No. DDI 633.
No Court of Inquiry was held into the accident. Was taken to SSQ (Hospital
or Station), Wellesbourne Mountford, Warwickshire.
- As per newspaper article - "Casualty".
Son of G.F. Mallett, Elkhorn, Man., PILOT OFFICER RONALD F. MALLETT has been
reported killed in action in the latest RCAF casualty list from Ottawa. [There
is a picture of Ron in uniform].
- As per newpaper article - "Young Elkhorn Airman Buried in England"
Elkhorn, Man., Dec 21. (Special) - Official information has been received
by Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Mallett of the death on active service of their son,
P.O. Ronald Mallett, Nov 30. His name appeared in the official list Dec 8.
He was born in 1919 and was an engineer in air conditioning and refrigeration,
and before enlisting was with the Canadian Car and Foundry Company, Fort
William, Ontario. Graduating at Rivers, he received his commission in Montreal
just before leaving for overseas last June. The official notice informed the
parents that the young man was buried Dec 3, at Evesham Road Cemetary,
Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, Eng. Surviving are his parents, and two
brothers and a sister, Amy and Clifford at home, and Albert, at Sudbury, Ont.
- As per newspaper article (probably Free Press in Winnipeg -
"Elkhorn Pilot Killed Overseas"
Elkhorn, Man., Deb 5 (Special) - Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mallett received official
word Dec 2 that their second son, Pilot Officer Ronald, had been killed in
action. Ronald signed up on June 27, 1941 [wrong], and June 27, 1942, he
arrived in England by bomber, which he navigated. He received his commission
in Montreal prior to proceeding overseas.
Ronald was born in Elkhorn on Oct 8, 1919, and received his education here.
He took a course in the Chicago Institute of Air Conditioning and
Refrigeration. After graduating there he found employment in the Canada Car
and Foundry, Fort William, where he worked until joining the RCAF.
He is survived by his parents; two brothers, Albert at Sudbury, and Clifford,
at home; and one sister, Amy, at home. He was buried in Evesham Road Cemetary,
Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England, on Dec 3. Ronald was a carrier boy
for the Free Press for a number of years and won a trip to Winnipeg to see the
King and Queen in 1939.
- As per military records from NAC.
Ron was killed (in active service) in an accident during air operations at
Gaydon Aerodrome, Warwickshire, England. No Cour of Inquire was held into
his death.
Burial:
- As per military records received from NAC.
Grave #4013 (originally had a wooden cross), Evasham Road Cemetary,
Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England 15:00 Thur. Dec 3/42. The other two
Canadian killed in the accident were also buried in this cemetary on this
day. Service conducted by the Church of England Padre S/Ldr. Langford
Service conducted by the Church of England Padre S/Ldr. Langford Sainsbury,
and the Canadian Padre, S/Ldr. Freyne was also present. Full service honours
were accorded, the coffin being carried by men from this Station, and the
Last Post was sounded at the end of the ceremony. A number of wreaths were
sent from the officers and airmen of this Station. Photographs were also
taken of the funeral ceremony, and these have been forwarded by sea route,
as they were too heavy for the Air Mail service. All war graves are taken
care of by the Imperial War Graves Commission, who will erect a temporary
wooden cross, pending the provision of a permanent memorial.
Education: As per military records from NAC.
Manitoba - Elkhorn Public School 1925-1934
Manitoba - Elkhorn High School 1934-1938 (Junior Matriculation)
His best marks were in Math and Science
Chicago - Industrial Training Institute - Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
1938-1940. This included four weeks of practical intensive
supervised training in their shops in Chicago.
Military - see above.
Occupation: As per military records from NAC.
Before entering army - Discal Fitter AFM (1940-1941) Canada Car, Fort William,
Ontario. This was an iron foundry airplane plant. Was a member of the A.F. of
Labour union.
July - Sept 1940: Tinsmith at J.C. Hunton, Sheet Metal & Heating Co, Fort
William, Ontario. Reference from J.C. Hunton: honest & trustworthy, any work
that may be assigned to him, would be given his closest attention.
Religion: As per military records from NAC.
United
Hobbies: As per military records from NAC.
Softball, tennis, curling, football, mechanics, music (piano accordian).
Physical Features: 5' 7-1/2". 155 pounds. Dark brown hair.
Grey-Green eyes. Scar on right wrist, scar on palm of right hand, scar on
lower lip (right side).
Medical:
- As per medical report in military records:
. Well developed, well nourished young man.
. Had tonsillectomy in 1934 - otherwise good health, did not require glasses.
Teeth nearly all present and perfect.
. This man had struck me with his unusually good physique.
Baptism: Copy of baptism certificate included in Military records. He was
baptized Nov 17/1919 in Elkhorn by F.C. Pecover. The name of the church is not
mentioned.
Residence: before enlisting he lived at Ste. 7, Bowlker Block, Fort William,
Ontario.
|
1919 - 1942 (23 years)
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