November 9, 2023. On November 7, 2023, we gave a presentation at Crapaud Hall in Crapaud, Prince Edward Island: ‘Up Close With A Halifax Bomber’ about our tour of a Halifax bomber and a summary of two Island airmen who lost their lives in one: Elmer Bagnall MUTTART and Rowan ‘Bunky’ Charles FITZGERALD.
70% of Canadians in Bomber Command flew in a Halifax bomber, which explained why so many of the casualties that Pieter has researched over the years were in a Halifax. It was one of the reasons why Pieter was so interested in touring a Halifax bomber at the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton, Ontario. (See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/09/23/on-the-war-memorial-trail-if-only-it-still-flew/)
When Connie MacKinnon asked if we would do a presentation at Crapaud Hall in Crapaud, Prince Edward Island, giving an overview of our tour was what we chose as the topic.
Daria was the presenter for ‘Up Close With A Halifax Bomber’. (Photo credit: Connie MacKinnon)
Elmer Bagnall MUTTART was the pilot aboard Halifax L9561 when it was shot down on October 12, 1941 just outside the village of Wons, The Netherlands. He was the sole fatality. You can read about him here: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2020/01/31/he-died-that-we-might-live-video-is-now-on-youtube/
Rowan ‘Bunky’ Charles FITZGERALD was the navigator aboard Halifax W1175 when was hit by shellfire and crashed into a sandbank in the Wadden Sea, off the Dutch coast, on June 28, 1942. There were no survivors. You can read about him here: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/10/12/on-the-war-memorial-trail-well-never-forget-uncle-bunky/
Pieter joined Daria during the question and answer period following the presentation. (Photo credit: Connie MacKinnon)
A lively question and answer period followed the presentation, with several attendees also sharing stories. It was an enjoyable experience for all of us!
Daria and Pieter with Edison Smith. (Photo credit: Kathy Henry)
Among the attendees was Edison Smith, grandson of WWII soldier Edison Alexander SMITH, who lost his life on March 25, 1945 during the Battle of Bienen in Germany. We very much appreciated the opportunity to meet him in person. (You can read Edison Smith’s story at https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2023/03/04/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-battle-of-bienen-part-1-the-wwii-soldier-whose-body-shielded-a-wounded-major/)
Do you have a story to share? Please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.
© Daria Valkenburg
….Want to follow our research?….
If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so. Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/
4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats. Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/
You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw.
Never miss a posting! Subscribe below to have each new story from the war memorial trail delivered to your inbox.
On The War Memorial Trail Research Project........ with Pieter and Daria Valkenburg 