Booth, Gordon Birchell (G.B.) Photo
Rank Flying Officer (BA)
Service # J2146
Unit # R.C.A.F.
Resident Wallaceburg
Books Of Rememberance Page Available

Booth, Gordon Birchell

 

Born 22/10/1912 in  Eaton, Weld Co., Colorado, USA. The son of Bert F. and Jemina (Jane) (nee Doan) Booth of Wallaceburg, the brother of Captain M. L. Booth Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, Lieut. B. F. Booth RCN,   He had three sisters named Hazel (Starks), Midred (Dean) and Gertrude (Loudon). Gordon attended the Central School in Wallaceburg and Wallaceburg High School. After that, he attended the Chatham Business College. After completing his studies, he was employed by the Dominion Sugar Co. in Chatham.

He was married to Helen E. (nee Decker) on 20/06/1936. They had two daughters; Thais 5 ½ years and Diana 16 months. They were living at 315 Nelson St. Wallaceburg. Prior to enlisting in Windsor, ON., Gordon was working for the Dominion Sugar Co. in Wallaceburg. He later moved to Ohio, USA., and worked for the American Sugar firm in Northern Ohio. Gordon was living in Findley, Ohio from 1937 to 1939 as a field man for Great Lakes Sugar Co.

He was living in North Baltimore, Ohio before his enlistment in the RCAF.

Gordon enlisted 16/06/1942, age 30 years. in the RCAF and trained at Trenton, Paulson, MN., Winnipeg, Portage La Prarie and Chatham NB., graduating  as a Flt. Sgt. Bomb Aimer 18/10/1942. He received his commission as a Pilot Office 20/10/42 and Flying Officer 20/05/43. His wife and children had moved to Winnipeg to be closer to Gordon before he would be posted overseas. Going overseas in January of 1943 to Bournemouth, England.

While on operational training at Number 12 OUT (Operational Unit Training) in Vickers Wellington Mk III bomber #Z 1721, on 16 June, 1943, shortly after takeoff on a training accident, the aircraft caught fire and crashed and blew up at Edgehill, Compton Wynyates, Warwickshire, England killing all of the crew. DOAA 16/06/1943.

Beside F/O Booth, Flt. Sgt. Phillip Griffith, 416761 RAAF age 21; P/O Thomas Wilkie Adam (Nav.) J21975 RCAF, age 22; Sgt. Kenneth Edward Troake (AG) 1708058 RAF age 19; were also killed in the crash.

Booth is buried at Banbury Cemetery, grave # 11644, Oxfordshire, England.

booth gordon birchell

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources NRT, VIS-IODE, TSGNO, IOSD, WHS-HR, CVWM & Photo, Nancy Reay, IODE-Appendix,, A. Mann ‘No return Ticket.

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