I am trying to find the name of the ship that transported LAC 426626 LAC Colin Dent LITZOW (RAAF) to Lachine in Canada - left from Sydney on 8 Feb 1943 or thereabouts. He was based at No 14 SFTS Aylmer and died during a solo flight (crashed into Lake Erie) on 21 June 1943. His service record (online at the National Australian Archives website) does not record how he got to Canada nor anything about his training in Canada. He is buried in Aylmer Cemetery. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Jahau, I think colin must of been part of these guys, Australia, with the other British Dominions had adopted the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) to provide trained aircrews to fight with the RAF. Australian recruits received elementary training at air bases around Australia and many of them were then sent overseas for advanced training. Before the scheme ended in mid-1944, more than 10,000 Australians had received advanced training in Canada and 674 had been sent to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) before joining the RAF in Britain. So that the RAAF identity would not be lost in the EATS, provision was made under the agreement for the formation of complete Dominion Squadrons within the plan. Squadrons which were predominantly Australian aircrew were designated as RAAF squadrons and 17 of these were eventually formed: 12 in Britain and 5 in the Middle East. Many Australians also served in RAF squadrons as did British and other Dominion personnel in RAAF squadrons. Info from link 'The Angry Sky' RAAF FATALITIES IN SECOND WORLD WAR AMONG RAAF PERSONNEL SERVING ON ATTACHMENT IN ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS AND SUPPORT UNITShttp://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z023_1.pdf page 83 Below is a Copy of his Gravy stone and also a picture of himself and a piece of writing from his minute sheet taken from an RAAF in canada blog here is the link Royal Australian Air Force airmen training in Canada during the Second World War don't know if you have this. This link will take you to video done of were he is buried (RAAF) Australian Airmen buried at Aylmer, Ontario Canada.avi - YouTube Hope this all helps working on the boat for you Regards Keith
